Weight and healthcare...Do you hate when people say that they have a fat gene??

Question

My neighbor and I were talking about this yesterday. He is in the service and in good shape at almost 30. I am 47 myself and in good shape also. And has the conversation continued, we spoke about healthcare issues and people saying that they have a FAT GENE. And I think it is sad because the real reason for weight problems, and soon to follow high blood pressure, diebeties and heart disease! American people in general eat to much, and excercise too little! And now we have children coming up with very litttle excercise in schools now! When I was in school, we had gym everyday for 45 minutes. And now, kids are lucky to have PE once a week!
I guess the bottom line really is accountability from each person. If you are heavy and want to lose weight, excercise and eat less, and include better foods in your diet. Eat because you are hungry, not because you are bored or depressed! What are your thoughts on this epidemic problem that we in America have?

Answer 1

people can be predisposed to being overweight. slow metabolism, depression, whatever. just because you are thin and you don't have to do anything to maintain it doesn't mean that everyone else is that way.

some predisposed fat people don't have the will power required to be thin, so they remain fat...they would have to eat less and exercise more than someone that isn't predisposed to maintain a healthy weight.

that's like saying someone can be smart if they want to be...that's not true either.

i agree with you though that america's lifestyle is headed right down the toilet...the amount of food available and the lack of exercise in children's environments is crazy.

Answer 2

Some people are pre-disposed to be fat and this is heightened by environment. If parents are sedentary couch potatoes who eat lots of junk food or who skip meals then gorge, the kids will be, too.

Kids learn eating habits from parents. The schools COULD teach them better, but they don't. Exercise is extremely important, but schools don't help in that area and parents don't have the time to walk the dog, much less the kid.

I have noticed that every person I've talked to who wants the bypass operation has terrible eating habits. The usual pattern is NO BREAKFAST, a candybar or fast food for lunch, and a huge dinner loaded with carbs.

They would do far better if they had a hamburger for breakfast, skip the fries at lunch, and had a good salad with protein for supper and breakfast cereal as a late night snack.

Answer 3

No doubt that it's a lifestyle problem. The experts are not happy with the results they get from the studies they conduct because there is no simple solution. For instance, cars are preferred over pedestrians. That annoys/frustrates me to no end because I love to walk. I've never been fat but I've made a conscious decision to stay in shape. It helps that I love to dance and be active. I love sports. There is a gene problem for some people. However, that gets used too much like it's an excuse for the total problem. People are also working a lot more than they used to. There are a lot more demands on people's times. I work and go to school. I have responsibilities around the house. I work 45 hours a week but I know plenty of people that work 50-60 hours a week. That just compounds the problem. Some people are too tired from their day. Sleep deprivation is another big problem. People that get enough sleep are less likely to be overweight. Globalization is killing everyone. Competition is too intense.
Our government has sold us out as well as corporations because greed has taken over. My stepkids are lazy. They hate any kind of physical activity. My stepson at 9 years old is overweight. He is so lazy. We have the Wii game system and he still acts like a loaf on the couch, barely moves. My stepdaughter at 13 is thin but it won't last for long because she does almost nothing for physical activity. I try to encourage both of them as does their father. (Their mom is a loaf, overweight, barely exercises). Their friends are big kids, except for one of my stepdaughter's friends. She's skinny. The rest are large. There are so many factors and it's very hard to address them because of how our society is. People have longer commutes. Walking is not encouraged. There is not a commitment at most workplaces to get employees active. Penny wise perhaps and dollar foolish.
Not enough people have the discipline necessary to make changes on their own. I find it very difficult. I love to work out. I've taken up belly dancing but with family, work, and school. It's so tough sometimes to find the time. When I do work out at home, I get interrupted quite a bit. I go to the gym but time is short. I get so aggravated there because there are lot of people and not a lot of space. There are a lot of obstacles out there. I don't foresee it getting better. We are in for a recession. The housing market is going to topple more industries. Everything is connected. It just takes time for all of the effects to appear. It's not instanteneous.

Answer 4

Surprise! There is a "fat gene."

If you look at the source, below, you will find an article that starts like this:

"ScienceDaily (Mar. 21, 2006) — Rutgers researchers have identified a gene -- and the molecular function of its protein product -- that provides an important clue to further understanding obesity and may point the way to new drugs to control fat metabolism."

Of course, that does not mean that everybody who claims to have a "fat gene" actually has one. Only scientific tests can tell.

Answer 5

Fat genes do exist, but are a poor excuse for being fat. Genes are like different size gas tanks(genes) on vehicles(our bodies)-ten gallons of gas whether in a 20 gallon gas tank or in a 10 gallon gas tank will only get you so far.The only way to change this is by changing fuel(food) quality or getting more gas(food).If the genes only have enough calories through exercise and/or diet to only maintain bodily functions, you can not get fat unless you change your dietary composition or eat more food, period.Visit naturescorner.com,my website.

Answer 6

i agree that americans have absolutely no self discipline when it comes to eating and exercising however the fat gene does exist. there are a series of genes that you get that are unchangable but there is another that are influenced by outside factors. there is a fat storing gene that can be switched on in early childhood via poor nutritional habits and other enviromental factors. once this gene is switched on the person will suffer from weight issues for the rest of their life if they neglect to eat healthy and exercise. its a very complicated matter and the research is very new but i even still i agree that it is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO BE A FAT, LAZY, SLACKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Now you know.

There is a fat gene. Unfortunately there are people who have this. Just like people you have a thin gene, now they really are really the lucky ones.

Answer 8

It exists:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050125090815.htm

However, I do believe the obesity problem in the US is definitely tied to how/what people eat, and how sedentary the population has become.

Answer 9

i always thought they meant that they wear fat jeans.