It’s pretty much useless to try and be thin if you don’t have the (much coveted, soon to be cloned at a store near you) “thin gene.” Based on a study of over 3,000 pairs of female twins — the gold standard for both researchers and teenage boys — scientists have concluded that over 50% of womens’ variances in weight can be predicted just by looking at their genes. The remaining percentage can be predicted by looking at their jeans. (Sorry, that one just wrote itself. It’s a gift and a curse.)
It’s not all doom and gloom though. Prof. Livshits, lead researcher of the study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (2007), says, “The bad news is that many of our physical features, including our weight, are dependent on our genes. The good news is that women still have an opportunity to go against their genetic constitution and do something about it.”
But lest that ray of hope be too cheerful, he adds, “It’s important to not have high expectations. Women need to know that what they can do about their body weight — especially when they age — is relatively little, and they will do it only with much difficulty.”
The proposed solution, of course, is to come up with a “thin gene” test to see who won the genetic lottery and who will be suing their parents in the near future for pre-gestational negligence. Officially the test will be used to let women know what kind of battle they’ll be up against so they can decide if fighting themselves over every bite for the rest of their unnatural lives is worth it. (Strangely, the test is proposed just for women — apparently men don’t care if they are fat.) Unofficially, the test will be used to narrow down future presidential candidates, screen kiddies for the really good preschools, and select mail-order brides.
All snarking aside, if there really was a thin gene test would you take it? And would it finally release fat people from the lazy-no-willpower-fat-is-contagious stereotype that our society is so fond of — or would it only make it easier to pick them out for vilification? What if a skinny person took it and discovered they have the thin gene- would it take away their sense of moral superiority? What if a fat person took it and discovered they have the thin gene – would they lose weight with this knowledge?
One thing I do know — marketers all over the country are having some very sweet dreams tonight.
Originally posted on The Huffington Post
Id say no.
I wouldnt take the test and NOT BECAUSE Im currently lean.
as with anything (I totally have the I Suck At Math gene but no one cared when I applied to colleges and there was a 300 pt gap between my math and verbal SAT scores) does it really matter?
you still have to overcome.
now
Im a child as I initially thought you we being sillysnarky with this name:
Prof. Livshits
poor professor.
(oh and happy guest chef day!)
C.
No I would not take the test. I don’t think it has any intrinsic value, as very few things can be attributed to a single gene, or even a few genes. Yes, I do believe that a person’s weight has a clear genetic component and we have little control over our “setpoint” weight. However, I would be very surprised if, in 5 years, a whole family of genes were not identified as being important for weight. There are too many other things at play in the human body that this doesn’t account for, such as hormones, food allergies (yes, they can affect your weight) and diseases such as PCOS, which often goes undiagnosed for years.
I don’t buy into the attitude that we can’t control our weight. I volunteer in a hospital library, and I read tons of medical journals, and I think the evidence is actually pretty weak for the idea that we can’t do anything about our weight. Yes, our hypothalamus has been developed over millions of years of evolution to make us eat a lot, but the hypothalamus doesn’t actually put the food in our mouths. That period before we swallow food is known as the cephalic phase, and it is during that time that our conscious mind is in control, even if we have to struggle with the cravings from our hypothalamus. The goal should be to satisfy the hypothalamus with nutritious, filling foods. The hypothalamus is just monitoring blood levels of nutrients, and it makes us hungry if we are not getting the right nutrients. With the right low-calorie nutritional foods, we should be able to satisfy the hypothalamus and stop the cravings. The genes don’t have much to do with it. The drug companies are pushing that idea, because they want to sell some new billion-dollar drugs, instead of telling people to diet and exercise. Give me a delicious chicken and spinach salad any day over a bunch of bizarre chemicals from the drug companies.
Love the picture!
I agree with Jim. Changing your body is hard work, and some people’s genetics make it harder for them than for others.
I also hate the fact that stuff like this will give some people an excuse not to exercise. “There’s no point — I’m the size I am how I am because of my genes.”
It’s not about matching some silly mass-produced “ideal” physique. It’s about being the fittest, healthiest, happiest person you can be. And getting there will always involve eating good food and exercising regularly.
I cannot believe you didn;t call ot the prof for his name. Are you not on your game today or WHAT?
MizFit, you and I must be the same age, ’cause I got a good giggle out of Prof. Livshits name, too! (Still am, actually. It just brings out my inner Beavis and Butthead.)
Boy, is this study a can of worms! I guess the only thing I can say is that we need to make good, fresh food available to and affordable for everyone, try and create places where everyone can walk or take some kind of exercise, and stop judging people based on what they look like.
I think that would be better than yet another diet pill.
It’s true, when I read some of the research that’s done, I want to get on the money list. A lot of work is funded by companies with a vested interest in the results and some is funded by national organizations with particular areas of interest. I wish more research was more open ended without such specific goals. The greatest discovers have often been serendipitous.
Dr. J
You always choose the most descriptive pictures 🙂
I’m in agreement with everyone here. To have or have not the skinny gene is not what matters to healthy living. Being healthy should be one’s priority, and thin does not always equal healthy.
Remember the alcoholic gene? So if you have that does that mean you just have to resolve to yourself that you’re going to be an alcoholic? No. Yes, we’re all dealt different cards in life but that doesn’t mean we have to surrender to them as depressing acceptance.
Knowing that your weight range is determined by genes will help when people decide what their “goal weight” should be. There’s no point in aiming for something that’s 10 or 15 kilos below your natural range if it’s genetic.
I’m naturally thin (lucky me) and I’m certain it’s genetic. Even were I to stop excercising and eat junk I would put on a max of 7 or 8 kilos, which wouldn’t even be overweight. I know, I’ve been there.
Shame, because my BF wishes I were a bit more curvy!
I recommend “Rethinking Thin” by Gina Kolata, which supports the idea that the overweight are fighting a losing battle against their own bodies/brains when they try to lose weight.
Oh my god how cute is that giraffe! They should make stuffed toy versions 😀
I also just saw that you totally called out the poster you spelled Michael Pollan’s name incorrectly. Very funny.
I would take the test if offered to me but I wouldn’t necessarily seek it out. I think knowledge can be power in a lot of these situations – for instance, the BRCA 1 and 2 tests. But I wouldn’t take a test that would tell me, say, when I’m going to die. If the pwerson was trying to empower themelves with this test, I think it could be good tol. But you don’t want people feeling defeated or, conversely, like they’re set on the thin train for life.
I know genes play a big part for me so I just don’t bother trying to look a certain way and focus on being a healthy ME. I would take the test but not let it change my current thinking.
Ont he flipside, I think too often people say it is genes when it is probably pills. So many people are taking multiple medications for one thing or another and you know that affects weight and ability to loose.
I think the test is not a bad idea to keep people from focusing too much on trying to reach a certain weight, but of course, nobody should "give up", eat poorly and not exercise. If a gene means you can eat healthy, exercise, and still carry some extra poundage, then so be it. You're still healthier with the right nutritional and exercise regimen, even if it means carrying an extra roll or two.
I also must admit to a chuckle when reading "Prof. Livshits". Heh.