New fat gene found

JOhnH said:
I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but I'd like to know why people get so worked up about stories like this? What causes someone, who is probably just as screwed up in other ways, to demonstrate such a fake superiority complex?

I'd wager that if self control could be measured, my "self control" exceeds most people on this board in most areas. But appetite control is the hardest thing there is for me to control. Being hungry is not something you can control. It is something you suffer through. With no end in site. Ever. At present, I have my weight under control and it is going on 2 years now. I am still heavy, but I am in great shape and my 36 inch pants fit better than my 44s used to. And my 172 seems bigger now.

But when people try to act like they are better than me because they don't have to struggle, it really makes me think less of them. A LOT less.
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Sorry you feel this way.... Obesity is the leading cause of health issues in the world... I pay elevated health insurance premiums so overweight people get treated for heart attacks. strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, and on and on......... So I have a right to complain as I fund the fat peoples problems.... and I DON"T like it..:mad2::mad2::mad2::mad:..

Personally I am a cheap bastard.. I have worn 34 waist /34 length blue jeans for 40 years.... When I start to have issues zipping up / buttoning up my pants ,I reduce my food intake because I will NOT go to the store and buy larger pants..:no::nonod::nono: YMMV..
 
steingar said:
No, just genetics and biochemistry. Some day you'll get off your soapbox, wake up and realize that the data never lies. The data is neither conservative nor liberal, and is utterly colorblind. And the data is always right. Always.
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I studied statistics in college. You can make data say anything you want.
 
I am a poster boy for this.

If I lay around and do nothing but drink beer and eat pizza all the time (I have experimented with this) I actually LOSE weight.
 
steingar said:
Bull. You can make statistics say anything you want. Data simply is, and it never lies. NEVER.
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Where do data come from?

If genetics are to blame for obesity, why does the obesity rate continue to increase?
 
dmspilot said:
Where do data come from?

If genetics are to blame for obesity, why does the obesity rate continue to increase?
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Because we as a society keep passing on bad genes by fixing symptoms instead of the problem. I know, eugenics is bad. But in 200 years we're probably going to be going "aw ****, we shouldn't have let all those people with defective genes breed back in the late 20th, early 21st century"
 
JOhnH said:
I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but I'd like to know why people get so worked up about stories like this? What causes someone, who is probably just as screwed up in other ways, to demonstrate such a fake superiority complex?

I'd wager that if self control could be measured, my "self control" exceeds most people on this board in most areas. But appetite control is the hardest thing there is for me to control. Being hungry is not something you can control. It is something you suffer through. With no end in site. Ever. At present, I have my weight under control and it is going on 2 years now. I am still heavy, but I am in great shape and my 36 inch pants fit better than my 44s used to. And my 172 seems bigger now.

But when people try to act like they are better than me because they don't have to struggle, it really makes me think less of them. A LOT less.
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I've always though weight was, in a large portion, genetic or biological. I've never had a weight (too heavy) problem. People always warned me, "when you get older..." Well, I'm 56 now and it still hasn't kicked in. I eat what I want. I'm not a heavy eater but I've noticed that, at restaurants, I eat as much as guys 50-100 lbs. heavier than I am. None of my blood relatives are overweight. They range from underweight to normal.
 
Well then you should be "THRILLED" that a University in London is making progress towards eliminating this problem.

But instead, you want to say that you are better than me because it is easier for you to control your weight than it is for me. You wear size 34 pants. I wear size 36. How much better than me does that 2 inches make you when I have to work several times harder than you to keep that size. And if/when I get down to 34 or 32, then will I be a better and more deserving person than you?

You support a whole lot more ways of supporting lazy, undeserving people through taxes than I support through research.

If a big pharmaceutical company spends millions developing a treatment, what skin is it off your back? In fact, if they find a way to treat it it will actually SAVE you and the rest of society a ton of money.

N801BH said:
Sorry you feel this way.... Obesity is the leading cause of health issues in the world... I pay elevated health insurance premiums so overweight people get treated for heart attacks. strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, and on and on......... So I have a right to complain as I fund the fat peoples problems.... and I DON"T like it..:mad2::mad2::mad2::mad:..

Personally I am a cheap bastard.. I have worn 34 waist /34 length blue jeans for 40 years.... When I start to have issues zipping up / buttoning up my pants ,I reduce my food intake because I will NOT go to the store and buy larger pants..:no::nonod::nono: YMMV..
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i figure i'm just better equipped for a famine than you skinny people
 
quite likely IMO that most of us are pre-disposed to being fat thanks to our ancestors surviving famines. People who survive that kind of thing are those who are most efficient at converting food into storable energy.
 
tonycondon said:
quite likely IMO that most of us are pre-disposed to being fat thanks to our ancestors surviving famines. People who survive that kind of thing are those who are most efficient at converting food into storable energy.
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Then I'm a freaking Prius!
 
Two things regaring this...

First, it was announced recently that Mexico has taken the top-spot away from the United States as the most obese nation on the planet.

As a result, our government has changed the border control plan. Instead of building a wall, they now plan to build a flight of stairs.

Second, where did they find this fat gene? McDonald's?

B)
 
After the examination the weight loss doc told me I appeared to be a guy with a lot of will power--because he could see plenty of evidence that I hadn't used any of it up yet.
 
timwinters said:
Two things regaring this...

First, it was announced recently that Mexico has taken the top-spot away from the United States as the most obese nation on the planet.

As a result, our government has changed the border control plan. Instead of building a wall, they now plan to build a flight of stairs.

Second, where did they find this fat gene? McDonald's?

B)
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Now that's funny.
 
This whole subject is something a disturbingly small amount of people understand. Calories are energy, by definition. If a human body can exert more energy than it takes in, it cannot possibly store any of it. So how do we exert energy? Exercise is a way to burn 300-500 calories, bu what about the other 1500? That is burned throughout the day by both exercise done (walking, stairs, etc) and your basal metabolic rate. Your basal metabolic rate is te amount if energy burned by your body at rest. The biggest factor of BMR is lean muscle mass. Simply put, someone with a large amount of lean muscle will burn more energy (calories) sitting on the couch than a fat person. Reason #1 that the in shape guy eats the same and doesn't get as fat.

Reason #2 is the calories burned throughout the day. Look at a guy that's in good shape throughout the day. They don't sit still. They walk around more, stand more, and even when sitting they will fidget more. A fat guy will sit in the most relaxed position and have very little unnecessary movement.

Reason #3 is portion size, snacking, and unhealthy meals disguised as healthy food. I have a friend diagnosed with a glandular problem. They will go to a restaurant and order buffalo chicken salad with extra dressing. This is probably a 1500 calorie meal, but they see salad and think its healthy. This combine with snacking throughout the day simply results in much more calories taken in per day.

There is a LOT more to it than this, but 99% of those that are overweight do not understand this, or are not honest with themselves.
 
After thinking about this, I have come to a few conclusions.
There are really 3 kinds of fat people.

Some people are genetically predisposed to it. I think I am one of those even though I currently have the issue under some semblance of control. I actually got whistled at by the pool for the first time in about 40 years.

I think a lot of young boys are fat because they play computer games all day instead of riding bicycles, playing baseball or pickup foot ball games or playing other games like tag like we used to do.

I think a lot of girls and women are fat because of the social change that said girls should be proud of their bodies, regardless of their weight. When I was young, girls felt a lot of social pressure to be skinny. The pressure was so strong it affected their health. The response was that now girls don't care how fat they get. Which is worse? At last skinny (within certain bounds) isn't ugly too.

There are a lot of causes to being fat. Genetic makeup is one of them. But even if genes can be overcome, the odds are against you if you have the offending combination. The research in the OP can be a big help and needs to be pursued. Other reasons are societal and are more difficult to affect.
 
JOhnH said:
I think a lot of girls and women are fat because of the social change that said girls should be proud of their bodies, regardless of their weight. When I was young, girls felt a lot of social pressure to be skinny. The pressure was so strong it affected their health. The response was that now girls don't care how fat they get. Which is worse? At last skinny (within certain bounds) isn't ugly too.
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Those girls don't get Mooney rides.
 
wabower said:
After the examination the weight loss doc told me I appeared to be a guy with a lot of will power--because he could see plenty of evidence that I hadn't used any of it up yet.
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My doctor said he had to take a fat graft from my abdomen and it was hard to find. I think he was just being kind, although I was on my back (I think).
 
The 'fat gene' is nothing new. We always knew genetics was a factor in Basal Metabolic Rate. We have also always known that genetic predisposition was a much smaller factor in BMR than controllable reasons, like lean muscle mass. You can focus on this factor and cry Fat Gene, or you can focus on what you can control. Good news is the controllable factors have a much bigger influence on the calories you burn throughout the day.
 
Direct C51 said:
The 'fat gene' is nothing new. We always knew genetics was a factor in Basal Metabolic Rate. We have also always known that genetic predisposition was a much smaller factor in BMR than controllable reasons, like lean muscle mass. You can focus on this factor and cry Fat Gene, or you can focus on what you can control. Good news is the controllable factors have a much bigger influence on the calories you burn throughout the day.
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True. But if most of the people without the "fat gene" that are whining about this type of research actually had the fat gene themselves, THEY would be fat too. They are hypocrites.

I think I have it. I think I have it under control. But it is a difficult, daily struggle that most skinny people will never understand.
 
JOhnH said:
True. But if most of the people without the "fat gene" that are whining about this type of research actually had the fat gene themselves, THEY would be fat too. They are hypocrites.

I think I have it. I think I have it under control. But it is a difficult, daily struggle that most skinny people will never understand.
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I don't know every overweight person, but from the many that I have worked with, I can say that the difference is not because of a gene that makes you burn calories slower. I can understand that it is a struggle for some to eat correctly and exercise correctly and sufficiently. But here's the thing, those that are in shape have to do the same, the difference is that it is not a struggle for them to do it. Eating right and exercising is hard for some people to do. Easy for others. Sure blame it on that, but not a fat gene. The problem is no one wants to admit that it is a problem with behavior, that is too easy to change and means YOU are responsible for it. It's much easier to say its a gene and cannot be controlled.
 
Direct C51 said:
I don't know every overweight person, but from the many that I have worked with, I can say that the difference is not because of a gene that makes you burn calories slower. I can understand that it is a struggle for some to eat correctly and exercise correctly and sufficiently. But here's the thing, those that are in shape have to do the same, the difference is that it is not a struggle for them to do it. Eating right and exercising is hard for some people to do. Easy for others. Sure blame it on that, but not a fat gene. The problem is no one wants to admit that it is a problem with behavior, that is too easy to change and means YOU are responsible for it. It's much easier to say its a gene and cannot be controlled.
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I don't know about that. There are thin people around who never exercised a day in their life, at least when I knew them. My mother for one, my good friend's mother for another. They didn't have physical jobs either.
 
Why do you choose not to admit that there might be a genetic predisposition involved. I suspect it is because you don't have that predisposition.

Many people are fat because they are lazy slobs. Do you maintain that is the case for all people with a weight problem? If you do, then there is no need to have a discussion. Otherwise, what is wrong with research into the genetic issues and possible treatment?

Direct C51 said:
I don't know every overweight person, but from the many that I have worked with, I can say that the difference is not because of a gene that makes you burn calories slower. I can understand that it is a struggle for some to eat correctly and exercise correctly and sufficiently. But here's the thing, those that are in shape have to do the same, the difference is that it is not a struggle for them to do it. Eating right and exercising is hard for some people to do. Easy for others. Sure blame it on that, but not a fat gene. The problem is no one wants to admit that it is a problem with behavior, that is too easy to change and means YOU are responsible for it. It's much easier to say its a gene and cannot be controlled.
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Bring back fat shaming and bullying. We had one fat kid in elementary school he was a punching bag. If you have kids take a look at the kid sitcoms they use 'chubby' actors, and not playing the fat schtick. Seems disturbing to me. Anyway you want a healthier more beautiful country? Then shame a fat person.
 
ClimbnSink said:
Bring back fat shaming and bullying. We had one fat kid in elementary school he was a punching bag. If you have kids take a look at the kid sitcoms they use 'chubby' actors, and not playing the fat schtick. Seems disturbing to me. Anyway you want a healthier more beautiful country? Then shame a fat person.
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That will work ok. It will force some kids to do better, and it will cause some kids to commit suicide. But I guess we needs some way to reduce the population growth. And since I currently have my weight situation under control, I am ok with that. But it would sure be nice if someone found a way to make it less miserable to have to fight the problem every ****ing day of your life.
 
Re: New far gene found

EdFred said:
Yeah, it's called exercise, and when I get down to target weight, I'll go back to a normal diet. Something I'm pretty sure these people with the "fat gene" are adverse to. Or is there a gene that makes people not exercise too?
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When I was younger I could eat as much as I wanted and then some without gaining weight. I'd typically gain a few pounds over the summer when I was significantly more active and then lose it all during the winter, all the while eating whatever looked good.

Now I'm at least 10 lbs over my ideal weight and finding it difficult to curtail my intake of sweets and carbs. I think it's harder for me since I never had to deal with it before and have lots of bad eating habits to overcome.
 
JOhnH said:
Why do you choose not to admit that there might be a genetic predisposition involved. I suspect it is because you don't have that predisposition.

Many people are fat because they are lazy slobs. Do you maintain that is the case for all people with a weight problem? If you do, then there is no need to have a discussion. Otherwise, what is wrong with research into the genetic issues and possible treatment?
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As a bodybuilder I am in extremely good shape. I do not drink soda. I don't eat sugary foods. I don't eat snacks. I control my portion size and caloric intake. I exercise every day. You could call this a 'struggle every day of my life' too. I call it normal. I promise you that you could take anyone in the world, regardless of their genes, and if they did what I do, they would not be fat. It doesn't take what I do to stay in shape. But it does take self control and education.

In highschool I was overweight. I ate what I wanted, as much as I wanted and didn't exercise enough. I didn't know better. I was educated in nutrition and proper exercise and now I am not fat.

Sure we could do research in to resolving the fat gene. But the resources are better off going toward nutrition education and getting people to exercise properly. Walking around the block isn't enough. Build lean muscle to burn those calories.

99.9% of those overweight have a behavioral problem. Not a genetic problem.
 
I think the two (genes and habits) go hand-in-hand more often than not... classic example is entire families of obese people, spanning generations. Everybody knows a family like that. There's a good chance there is a hereditary factor, but you will also see some pretty fat-inducing diet and exercise habits in such families.

If some sort of gene-based remedy is ever conceived to help combat obesity, for such patients success will still come down to personal habits... just like with the surgical procedures and "fat-burning pills" available today.

Gene or no, if you are obsessed with eating and/or put on fat easier than you can burn it off, you have to adjust diet and activity accordingly... especially if your constant hunger drives you to do stuff like keeping cookies under the car seat at all times, or your idea of "exercise" is having to stand on line at the buffet. :rolleyes:
 
Obviously it's easier for some people than others to stop eating but I don't see it as something moral. It's just as hard to force yourself to eat if you are not hungry, food doesn't taste good, etc.
 
The other thing that gets left out of this is personality. I come from a family of fat people. I myself am somewhat astringent, and have a tendency for self-denial. That's why I use simple calorie restriction and the resultant hunger to loose weight, it fits well with my personality. I won't put anyone down because they don't share my tendencies.
 
The only thing I will agree with is you gain weight if you eat more calories the you burn. The opposite for losing weight.
Now how much and why do different people burn different amount of calories is the question.
I am sitting buy a guy the is very skinny. Every morning he has a 44 oz soda at the start of work. Every day for lunch he eats a store bough sandwich and 2 candy bars and another 44 oz soda. He said his dinner is a bigger meal. He does not work out in fact he is a video game player so after work he goes home and sits and plays games all night.
If I ate like that I would gain weight. For lunch I would gain weight.
Some thin people say they have to work at it and are hungry. Some just stay skinny.
I will not say all fat people are because of jeans but I think it is stupid not to think it is part of it.
Why are some people good singers. Why are some people musical. Why are some people smart. Why are some people mechanical. There is a lot we do not know still.
 
FYI - I have lost a ****-ton of weight in the last few months by forcing myself to exercise and eating reasonably. Interestingly, once you get into it a bit, it becomes easier to adhere to.

The gene, if it exists, probably only makes it easier to slack off, but it doesn't prohibit real work. Many of you have met me in real life - I'm a fat ass, and I have been since I was in 5th grade (minus a few years playing football in High School).

Get off your ass and work. If I can do it, there's really no excuse for others not to.

edit: FYI - I'd also believe there's a correlation between addictive behaviors (smoking, drugs, drinking, etc.) and being fat. Food can be an addiction, and its even harder to break because you can't go cold turkey on food, everyone's gotta eat. Try quitting smoking by smoking to do so.

Nick - Ex Smoker, Ex Fattie (but still a lot of fat to lose), Ex Lazy.

edit2: Since pant sizes came up - I have dropped from a 48 to a 42, and the 42s are getting baggy now. I haven't worn anything less than a 40 since I was 15.
 
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N801BH said:
Just another EXCUSE for fat, lazy people with NO self control to blame their problem on...:mad2::mad2::yes:
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Damn, there are some incredibly hateful, mean-spirited people on this site.:(
 
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