Is the Obesity Gene Real?

There is a lot of debate about whether or not the obesity gene is real. Some people want to say it's not real. Some people want to say it's real. Then there are those who think it's real but believe that a healthy diet and exercise can still overcome it. Then there are those who are obese and would like to use the obesity gene as an excuse for why they are overweight.

From what I've read, it seems clear to me that a person can definitely be predisposed to obesity. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that a person is going to be obese. I think what it means is that the obesity gene makes it harder for a person to maintain weight or stay at a healthy weight, but not impossible.

There is simply too much evidence to rule out the presence of an obesity gene. Obesity obviously runs in families, but just like any other genetic disorder or disease, not every member of the family will receive the gene. That's why some people in a family will not be obese, while others will.

I have a good friend who is skin and bones skinny. She eats like a ravenous woman, and she can barely maintain her weight. In fact, the foods she eats aren't even the healthiest foods. If I ate like her, I'd be a blimp, and yet, there she is as skinny as can be.

That is genetics. So I'm assuming that means I have the obesity gene and she most obviously does not.

Yet, that doesn't mean I'm fat, or even that I'm going to be fat.

Think about it from the perspective of the genetic version of diabetes. If someone is born with diabetes, they have to control their diet and take medication in order to stay healthy, or even to stay alive.

If someone is born with the obesity gene, they too have to control their diet and might have to take medication in order to stay healthy, or even to stay alive.

Obesity isn't en epidemic. Obesity isn't uncontrollable. However, the obesity gene can explain why some people struggle so much with their weight while it is easier for others.

I think one of the things I get the most upset about is when I see obese people being criticized or when someone of a more ideal weight automatically assumes that someone overweight is lazy or slovenly.

My father always struggled with his weight. I remember as a child him going from 175 pounds all the way up to over 300 pounds, and then back down again. Even today, he is not at a healthy weight. My mother, on the other hand, weighs the same she weighed for as long as I can remember.

Now, I have always struggled with my weight. Fluctuating the same 20-30 pounds up and down. When my sister was younger, she was a bird, who could eat double meat chili cheese burgers all day long and not gain an ounce. As adults, she and I both struggle with maintaining a healthy weight though.

I eat good foods, organic, healthy things. All natural things, and yet, I still struggle. My sister eats fast food, junk and drink sodas (I don't touch sugary sodas) and yet, she still weighs less than I do.

Seems to me there's a clear connection to the fact not everyone metabolizes foods the same. Two people on identical diets, their body's will react differently. Why? Because of that pesky little obesity gene's presence or its missing presence.

So just a little opinion here, but something to keep in mind. Don't assume that just because someone is a little overweight or even a lot overweight that this means they don't eat well or try to take care of themselves. And don't assume that just because a person is thin that it means they do.

In fact, it's always best to leave assumptions behind and meet people as people, human beings, all capable of feeling, loving, hurting.

If you knew a person had an illness that made their hands shake, would you ridicule them for the tremors or would you help them? The obesity gene is no different, so maybe instead of ridicule, a little support and understanding might go a long way.