[afzalaung]

Genes 'up Indians' obesity risk'




Scientists have pinpointed a reason why people with Indian ancestry may be more prone to weight problems.

They have found this group is more likely to carry a gene sequence linked to an expanding waist line, weight gain and type 2 diabetes.

The sequence, discovered by a team led by Imperial College London, is carried by 50% of the population - but is a third more common in Indian Asians.

It is hoped the Nature Genetics study could lead to new obesity treatments.

The finding might provide a possible genetic explanation for the particularly high levels of obesity in Indian Asians, who make up 25% of the world's population, but who are expected to account for 40% of global cardiovascular disease by 2020.

The gene sequence sits close to - and possibly influences - a gene called MC4R, which regulates energy levels in the body by influencing how much we eat and how much energy we expend or conserve, and which has been directly implicated in rare forms of extreme childhood obesity.

The researchers discovered that the sequence is associated with a 2cm expansion in waist circumference, a 2kg gain in weight, and a tendency to become resistant to insulin, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Preventative measures

Lead researcher Professor Jaspal Kooner said the genetics behind obesity and its related health problems had been little understood.

He said: "A better understanding of the genes behind problems such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease means that we will be in a good position to identify people whose genetic inheritance makes them most susceptible.

"We can't change their genetic inheritance. But we can focus on preventative measures, including life-style factors such as diet and exercise, and identifying new drug targets to help reduce the burden of disease."

Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director of the British Heart Foundation, which funded the study, said it had long been established that Indian Asians were more susceptible to heart disease than white Europeans.

He said: "This study is important because it provides a potential genetic 'flag' by which doctors may be able to identify people who would gain great health benefits from help to avoid gaining weight.

"Secondly, the findings give us new insights into the biology that makes some people more susceptible to heart disease than others.

"It is one of several recent genetic studies that promise to shed new light on the causes of heart disease and how to avoid it."

source: BBC

[sixpakistan]

That looks like the fat kid in "Bombay to Goa."

[Nabisco007]

There was also that kid in K3G...Laddoooo

[raatkirani2005]

I don't necessarily buy the gene explanation for obesity. They should look at diet and lifestyle first. There are many, many rail thin Indians and Pakistanis back in the homeland. The ones that are fat are the ones who love their parathas made with ghee and eat malai on the side. The truth is that people don't need to eat as much food as they think they need.

[SoSoHalalish]

Originally Posted by raatkirani2005

I don't necessarily buy the gene explanation for obesity. They should look at diet and lifestyle first. There are many, many rail thin Indians and Pakistanis back in the homeland. The ones that are fat are the ones who love their parathas made with ghee and eat malai on the side. The truth is that people don't need to eat as much food as they think they need.

mmmm, i like my paratheh with crisco.

[raatkirani2005]

mmmm.....crisco....seriously, does it make for good parathas? Gotta try it sometime!

[SoSoHalalish]

Originally Posted by raatkirani2005

mmmm.....crisco....seriously, does it make for good parathas? Gotta try it sometime!

yeah, I don't know of any other way

When you got the atta in the ball shape, you take a blob of crisco and jab it in then, fold over the atta, jab another blob of crisco in there, fold it, repeat, then you twist the atta a little, and then pat it down into the pre-paratha shape. does a heart good.

[shadha]

Oh dear God! What the hell did that do to that child?!? Reminds me of the Maury fat kids episodes.

raatkirani: I don't necessarily buy the gene explanation for obesity. They should look at diet and lifestyle first. There are many, many rail thin Indians and Pakistanis back in the homeland. The ones that are fat are the ones who love their parathas made with ghee and eat malai on the side. The truth is that people don't need to eat as much food as they think they need.

Exactly.


shadha-

[afzalaung]

Originally Posted by raatkirani2005

I don't necessarily buy the gene explanation for obesity. They should look at diet and lifestyle first. There are many, many rail thin Indians and Pakistanis back in the homeland. The ones that are fat are the ones who love their parathas made with ghee and eat malai on the side. The truth is that people don't need to eat as much food as they think they need.

not really...women in my family automatically fattens up after childbirth. its not like they changed their diets or anything.

[vegetables]

all my brothers and I have high cholesterol and we eat fairly healthy. i was told i had high cholesterol when I was 17 and my other brother at 15. we're not fat and fairly active so i will blame my genes!

[bravotwozero]

Originally Posted by afzalaung

not really...women in my family automatically fattens up after childbirth. its not like they changed their diets or anything.

Uhh...women EVERYWHERE gain weight after pregnancy.

[PhDGirl]

The study doesn't say that genes cause obesity, but that it's a genetic tendency which means that environmental factors have to be more carefully managed. It's not really different than what you already know - some people have to be more careful with their diets than others.

[GOTFIVEONIT]

Originally Posted by raatkirani2005

I don't necessarily buy the gene explanation for obesity. They should look at diet and lifestyle first. There are many, many rail thin Indians and Pakistanis back in the homeland. The ones that are fat are the ones who love their parathas made with ghee and eat malai on the side. The truth is that people don't need to eat as much food as they think they need.

actually i think the gene theory is true. one report i read a very long time ago, but similar to this one, is that thousands of years ago, since we are a 5,000 year old civilization dating back to the indus valley civilization, due to widespread famine, our ancestors developed genes that allowed them to store extra food in case of famine. now that this isnt the case anymore, desis have some of the highest rates of diabetes in the world. plus the fact that desis dont get any excercise. in fact for men, if you start weightlifting now, you'll release the insulin in you, and you wont get diabetes later on in life. Plus there's alot of different foods you can use to prevent diabetes such as green tea. try walking more, or riding a bicycle, that will get you more excercise to prevent diabetes.

[iliketofish]

I've never noticed the desi population to be particularly obese, am I alone in this?

This does shed light on the dreaded "aunty syndrome" though.

[hefty]

genes? yeah add to that the rice, parathas, naans, rotis, (and any other flat bread), food cooked in desi ghee, deep fried desserts (gulab jamun, jelaybi, etc)
no wonder we fat