DNA Variation Associated with Fat Metabolism

Yet another gene variant has been identified that may influence our body weight. A genetic variation located near INSIG2 (insulin-induced-gene 2) appears to be more common in obese individuals and is present in about 10 per cent of the general population. This DNA polymorphism could influence the activity of INSIG2 which produces a protein that regulates the manufacture of fatty acid and cholesterol.

[Michael Christman, chairman of Boston University Medical School's department of genetics and genomics] stressed that unhealthy eating and failure to exercise are probably just as responsible for obesity as are genes. But given the hereditary factors involved in many other people, he added, it may be possible to develop drugs to combat the genetic variations that contribute to obesity.

Don’t be defeatist. You do have some control over your genes.

MercuryNews.com, April 14, 2006
Telegraph, April 14, 2006