is being over weight really hereditary?

Answer 1

Some people are genetically predisposed to obesity, but it is never the singular cause. Research is showing that a child's genetic makeup, immune system, pretty much the development of every system of the body is affected by the parents' lifestyles...especially the mother. AND they are finding that not only is the mother's diet and lifestyle a factor, but so is the grandmother's diet and lifestyle. How I choose to live my life becomes the blueprint to my grandchild's health.

Answer 2

I think so, a lot of people in my family are over weight and even with myself, it's extremely hard for me to loose weight. I stayed on a diet and exercise routine for about 2 years exercising 5 days a week 1 1/2 hour a day I lost weight after the first few months but after that it just stabilized so I didn't gain or loose more weight even though I continued to work out 5 days a week 1 1/2 hour a day. As soon as I stopped the exercise and diet routine, I gained like 20 pounds after 2 years. Then my weight eventually stabilized as if I was finally at the "correct" weight.

Also, I've done diets like Atkins and South Beach. According to the book, when you do south beach phase 1, after 2 weeks you should lose 8-13lbs. I only lost 5 after 3 weeks. So some people must just inherit extremely slow metabolisms.

Answer 3

If you eat reasonably and exercise a little I think your what your meant to be. We are not meant to think about food and count caleries, so if your busting a gut to loose weight and it's not happening... let it go, it's probably just the way you were meant to be. The only time I have ever struggled with my weight was after a couple of years of serious starvation to get and to maintain the waif look I thought was sexy then. When I went back to normal eating I gained three times the weight back. I had stuffed my metabolism up big time!
I eventually balanced out at 55kgs and have been the same for about 8 years. Doesnt matter what i eat. I eat what i want and don't worry about it. But I have pretty good genes. No one in my family is fat.

Answer 4

Doctors have tracked twins who were separated at birth and raised in different families, and they tend to weigh the same, so, yes, it's probably hereditary. However, you can have some control with diet and exercise.

Answer 5

A person with 1 obese parent has a 50% chance of being obese. A person with 2 obese parents has an 80% chance of being obese.

So, yes and no. There is genetics involved, but there is also environmental factors involved.

Answer 6

Well, it seems that way, although I think there are ways to catch it, as long as it is done early enough. If you have two large parents, they have what appears to be a larger child, then they should stop the cycle and raise the child healthier with help from a physician.