British scientists have found through experimentation that some people’s hobby of “junk food†may be due to mutation of one of its genes.
In spite of this, the researchers believe that even if a healthy lifestyle is established, even if this genetic mutation occurs, it will not necessarily become fat.
Genetic mutation
In fact, as early as last year, scientists discovered that a gene named FTO is related to the problem of human obesity, but it has not been able to explain its mechanism.
The New England Journal of Medicine, published on the 11th of this month, introduced the latest issue. Recently, Colin Palmer, an expert from the Institute of Biomedical Research at Dundee University in the United Kingdom, organized 2,726 children from 4 to 10 years of age in Scotland to conduct an experiment. On the one hand, it was determined whether their FAT genes were mutated by analyzing their saliva. On the one hand, they recorded the foods they had taken in three meals a day. In the experiment, children can freely choose various foods such as sausages, cheeses, bagels, various fruits and vegetables, and water at every meal.
As a result, it was found that children who had FTO gene mutations had an average of 100 calories per meal compared with children without mutations in the FTO gene when they ate the same amount of food. The researchers said that although there are not many 100 calories, they can accumulate 1 pound (about 0.45 kg) every 12 days.
In addition, the experiment also found that whether the FTO gene mutation has nothing to do with the children's metabolic rate, exercise, food intake.
Palmer said: "This actually shows that this genetic variant has the tendency to choose to be more unhealthy and more prone to fat food."
Fat gain is not inevitable
The research report stated that the results of a survey conducted last year by most of the European whites were revealed. People with one copy of the FTO variant had a 30% higher rate of obesity than the average person, and those with two copies of the variant had a 70% higher rate of obesity.
Although FTO gene mutations are closely related to obesity, Palmer said that the FTO gene mutation is not terrible, and it does not mean that obesity is inevitable. People with mutations in the FTO gene can maintain normal body weight by controlling their food intake.
“Experiments show that genes through behavioral habits lead to obesity rather than metabolic rate. That is, you can make a difference by working hard. Another good news is that many children who have this genetic mutation are not overweight... you still have The right to choose, as long as you don't eat more, this gene won't make you fat."
In addition, another recent study of the FTO gene at the University of Miami found that after a period of physical exercise, the effectiveness of the FTO gene in affecting body weight is reduced.
In short, Palmer said that the secret to maintaining a healthy weight is the same: it is a healthy diet and regular exercise.
The key lies in prevention
The health problems caused by obesity in modern society have become increasingly serious. According to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16% of children in the United States are obese, and adults have an obesity rate as high as 35%.
Pall defaults: "The dramatic increase in the number of obese children in recent years is largely due to the emergence of a large amount of junk food. These foods are cheap, high-calorie, and easily available, tempting a large number of (FTO) genetic variants."
Gusam Rao, a doctor at the Children's Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said that the significance of Palmer et al's research is to tell people that prevention is the key to avoiding childhood obesity. "If you have children, whether they are overweight or not, if you find that they like to find junk food, you have to intervene. It is important to note that you need to do partial control rather than a total ban. If you completely prohibit children from eating This kind of thing, the children will mistakenly think that this kind of food is very special, as long as they get the food as soon as they are easily attracted and difficult to self-control.†(Peng Mengyao)