A group of researchers has conducted a groundbreaking study on childhood obesity, and surprise, surprise – they found a genetic link! Wow, who would have thought that the genes responsible for our physical characteristics could also play a role in our weight?
In their study, the researchers analyzed the genes of obese children and compared them to the genes of skinny children. They discovered that there are “copy number variations” (CNVs) exclusive to European Americans and African Americans that may increase the risk of childhood obesity.
But let’s take a moment to imagine how this research could have been conducted. Perhaps the researchers could have entertained the obese children with fried chicken, soda, and candy while asking them questions and studying their DNA. And, of course, the parents would be worried that their children were hungry and feed them a few cookies while waiting in the research center.
On the other hand, the skinny children could be provided with water while the researchers asked them questions and studied their DNA. And their parents could give them fresh fruit to snack on.
At the end of the session, the obese children would have gained an extra pound, while the skinny kids would have maintained their weight. But hey, let’s not blame genetics for everything, right?
Let’s face it; what you choose to put into your body is what really matters. It’s not about the genes you were born with, but rather the food choices you make every day. Sure, genetics can play a role in our weight, but it’s not the only factor.
Here are three examples to prove this point.
Two sisters have the same genes, but one of them is overweight while the other is skinny. Why? Because one sister eats junk food all day, while the other eats a balanced diet and exercises regularly.
A group of friends eats the same pizza and drinks the same soda. One friend gains weight while the other stays the same. Why? Because the friend who gained weight had a history of poor eating habits, while the other friend had a faster metabolism.
A couple has a baby who is born with a genetic predisposition to obesity. However, the baby grows up to be a healthy weight because the parents made sure to feed them a healthy diet and encouraged them to exercise regularly.
In conclusion, while genetics can play a role in our weight, it’s not the only factor. What we choose to put into our bodies every day matters just as much. So, let’s stop blaming our genes for our weight and start taking responsibility for our own health.