If you are overweight, your genes could be at fault. Research studies have found that your genes could be linked to a variety of factors, from your cravings to your lagging metabolism, to the fat on your belly. Researchers say that a certain mutation in genes called KSR2 may be responsible for the hunger pangs and slowing down of the metabolism in obese people. Not just KSR2, there is another gene known as the MRAP2 which alters the body’s basic process of utilizing energy.Then there is FTO, commonly known as the “obesity gene”, which regulates the level of hunger inducing hormone, known as ghrelin.
But along with genes, your environment and behaviour also play a big role in cravings, metabolism and fat. While genetic factors like FTO do play a role in development of obesity, genetic factors do not stop you from shedding off fat weight. The process might be slower than that of the average person, because of certain factors, but if you exercise regularly and eat healthy, there is no reason for you to not lose that stubborn belly fat. Also, regular exercise and diet over an extended period of time can increase your metabolic rate and help you reduce fat more efficiently.
The genes and DNA of an entire race of people in a certain region of the world could be responsible for higher fat levels. For example, people in South Asia are more prone to put on weight around their bellies. And fat accumulation in the abdominal region is the worst kind of fat possible, since it is the most dangerous as it is responsible for a variety of diseases. In fact, not just fat accumulation around the belly, even gaining muscle mass is harder for South Asians, compared to the average European population. The genes of an individual could even be such because of the previous generations’ poor food habits and low physical activity. South Asians in general are less active during their growth years and have an overall poorer diet quality than Europeans. There has even been a study that has found a connection between the health of parents and a new born baby. Parents who were unhealthy when they conceived the child passed on poorer quality genes to the child.
Irrespective of your genes, the right diet and exercise can help you lose weight and mildly alter your body type, even if you are genetically more prone to becoming obese. It might take a little more effort than it does for the average individual, but you will be doing yourself a favour, since you will be fitter and healthier.