Genetic Factors Influence Weight Gain: Discover 5 Effective Strategies

Season 9 of the podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta focuses on the relationship between body weight and health. The topics covered include the science behind new weight loss drugs, weight gain during menopause, and the challenges of losing weight. You can listen to the podcast here.

In 2013, the American Medical Association made a significant decision by officially recognizing obesity as a disease. This important step by the largest professional group of doctors helped to bring attention to the seriousness of the condition.

Much controversy surrounded the decision at the time, and even now. However, slowly the perspective is shifting. Instead of blaming individuals for obesity (labeling them as lazy and lacking willpower), there is a growing recognition that obesity is a chronic condition that poses health risks and may require long-term medical management. Despite this progress, many, including members of the fat acceptance movement, do not believe that their bodies should be pathologized.

The statistics are quite familiar by now: According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 42% of adult Americans are classified as obese, with an additional 31% considered overweight. The health issues associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, and stroke, are widely documented.

But what exactly makes obesity a disease, and are all people who carry extra weight unhealthy?

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More than 1 billion people worldwide are currently living with obesity, according to recent analysis.

Giles Yeo, a renowned geneticist at the University of Cambridge and a pioneer in obesity research, shared on the podcast Chasing Life that one key insight is that obesity can be considered a brain condition.

According to Yeo, it is now evident that obesity is primarily a brain issue. Our brain plays a crucial role in controlling our feelings of hunger, despite the perception that hunger originates in the stomach. Essentially, obesity is a result of our brain influencing our food choices and eating habits.

Carrying extra pounds can cause various health issues like arthritis and sleep apnea, but it won't directly result in death, according to Yeo. However, having too much fat can be risky because when your fat cells become full, they start storing fat in places like internal organs and muscles, which are not meant for fat storage. This can lead to metabolic problems and eventually conditions like cardiovascular disease.

Yeo mentioned that not everyone carrying extra weight is automatically dealing with a disease.

"If we shift our perspective on obesity, we might be playing with words, but it's a crucial distinction. Instead of simply defining obesity as having a high body weight, we should see it as a condition where excess weight starts to impact our health. This is when obesity becomes a disease," he explained.

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Genetics can determine how much fat your fat cells can store and influence how often and how strongly your brain signals hunger.

If genetics seem to be working against you, Yeo offers five tips in his book "Gene Eating: The Science of Obesity and the Truth about Dieting" to help you eat sensibly and achieve weight loss.

Yeo truth No. 1: Losing weight ‘ain’t supposed to be easy’

Losing weight goes against our self-preservation mechanisms.

Losing weight isn't easy, despite what some may say. Yeo emphasizes that it's not a simple task because our brains are wired to resist weight loss. When you do manage to shed some pounds, your brain will work against you, tempting you to regain the weight.

Yeo reassures that struggling with weight loss doesn't mean you're doing something wrong. It's important to recognize that the process is inherently challenging and not meant to be effortless.

Yeo truth No. 2: Try moderation in eating

Cut back your food intake across the board — just a little.

Yeo advises to eat a little bit less of everything, emphasizing that moderation is key. He acknowledges that this advice may not lead to wealth, but it holds true.

He cautions against eliminating entire food groups like carbs or fats. Yeo points out that dairy, for example, is not harmful if you can tolerate it. To lose weight, he suggests reducing consumption of all foods instead of completely cutting them out.

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Yeo truth No. 3: Slow-to-digest foods are your friend

Choose foods that stick to the ribs.

“Food that takes longer to digest makes you feel fuller,” Yeo said. “It’s true — you know it!”

One example is protein. Eating too much of it isn't ideal, but a diet with higher protein can help you feel more satisfied. Similarly, foods high in fiber can also make you feel fuller.

Yeo truth No. 4: Quality of food is more important than counting calories.

When looking at food, it's important to consider its overall value, not just one aspect of it.

According to Yeo, it's not wise to solely focus on counting calories. This is because calorie count only gives you information about the quantity of food, not the nutritional content. It doesn't reveal important details like the amount of protein, fiber, salt, or micronutrients present in the food.

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Yeo truth No. 5: Food is not the enemy

When talking about diets, Yeo emphasized the importance of understanding how different foods interact with our bodies instead of focusing on excluding so-called "bad" foods.

He encouraged people not to be afraid of food, emphasizing the need to improve our food environment and for some individuals to consume less food. Yeo highlighted the negative impact of fearing food, leading to restrictive eating habits and the belief that certain foods need to be completely eliminated from our diets.

I believe it's important to consume less food, but it's also important to appreciate and enjoy the food we eat.

We trust that these five tips will assist you in approaching food and eating in a healthier and more positive manner. To hear more from Dr. Sanjay Gupta's interview with Yeo, you can listen to the complete episode here. Make sure to tune in next week to the Chasing Life podcast where writer and fat activist Lindy West will talk about the misconceptions society has about "fat" individuals.

CNN Audio’s Grace Walker contributed to this report.

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the complex relationship between body weight and health, challenging traditional perspectives on obesity. It emphasizes the recognition of obesity as a disease and highlights the role of the brain in influencing food choices and eating habits. By reframing obesity as a condition where excess weight impacts health, the article opens up new avenues for understanding and addressing the issue.

The article also provides valuable insights from renowned geneticist Giles Yeo, who emphasizes the importance of moderation in eating and choosing slow-to-digest foods that promote satiety. Yeo's tips challenge the idea that weight loss should be easy, acknowledging the challenges posed by our self-preservation mechanisms and the need to focus on overall food quality rather than calorie counting. By promoting a healthier and more positive approach to food and eating, the article aims to empower individuals in their weight management journeys.