A genetic component to obesity: FTO gene (clinic, hormone, 2013)

[KittenSparkles]

I thought this was pretty interesting. Basically if a person gets what is called a "high-risk" version of a certain gene from BOTH parents, it leaves the person feeling hungry even after they've eaten.

Seems like it would be great if the test for this gene was easy to get, so that people could be informed if they are possibly dealing with this problem.

From the article:

"Researchers have further unraveled how a version of a gene linked to obesity risk causes people to gain weight – it makes them more likely to feel hungry after a meal and to prefer high-calorie foods.
Their study, published Monday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that individuals who inherited the high-risk version of the FTO gene from both of their parents have higher levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin in their bloodstream, which leaves them hungry even after eating. Real-time brain imaging also revealed that the FTO gene regulates the brain’s responses to ghrelin and to images of food."


http://www.latimes.com/news/science/...,3176734.story

[CA4Now]

Makes sense. If eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are addictive disorders (hence genetic), obesity would also be.

[tribecavsbrowns]

Originally Posted by KittenSparkles

I thought this was pretty interesting. Basically if a person gets what is called a "high-risk" version of a certain gene from BOTH parents, it leaves the person feeling hungry even after they've eaten.

Seems like it would be great if the test for this gene was easy to get, so that people could be informed if they are possibly dealing with this problem.

From the article:

"Researchers have further unraveled how a version of a gene linked to obesity risk causes people to gain weight – it makes them more likely to feel hungry after a meal and to prefer high-calorie foods.
Their study, published Monday in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, found that individuals who inherited the high-risk version of the FTO gene from both of their parents have higher levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin in their bloodstream, which leaves them hungry even after eating. Real-time brain imaging also revealed that the FTO gene regulates the brain’s responses to ghrelin and to images of food."


Researchers link 'obesity gene' to hunger hormone - latimes.com

It is easy to get (23andme). The cost isn't negligible, but for me, it was worth it. I'm TT for this one by the way -- I have always had issues with satiety, but apparently this gene is not the reason. Interesting article anyway, thank you for posting it.