What role do you think genetics plays in weight problems?

[Liz]

Genetics vs. Lifestyle???

I have been heavy all my life and come from "normal" sized parents & grandparents. I did have a great-grandmother who died about the time I was born who was always very large. I think my lifestyle is part of the problem but I think I am predisposed to be heavy and gain weight very easy.

What do you think?

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

I think it plays a big role! I am heavy (now, not in the future ), my mom is heavy, my grandma is heavy, and we recently saw a never before seen picture of my great grandma who was heavy as well. BUT, I do believe you can break through and achieve a healthy weight. My sister was heavy for a long time, and has lost a lot of weight and is very physically fit, BUT she also exercises all of the time. So, I think she broke through the barrier, but has to be very vigilant about it, or else it would come back.

 

[disneychrista]

I deffiently think that there is a mix of genetics and lifestyle. I think you can over come your genetics with lifestyle and that lifestyle can over come your genetics.

I think some people will always be able to eat "whatever they want" and some people will always have to constiantly watch what they eat. Unfortunetly I am in the second category.

 

[Jenzebelle]

Genetics plays a big role in it.

I inherited my large bone structure from both of my parents, as well as my Mother's thyroid problems.

Of course I also inherited my Father's love of good and fattening food

 

[nativetxn]

My father's family is/was thin. My mother and her sister were normal to underweight and so was her family.

I think my weight is blamed on me alone I wish I could blame it on genetics, but I don't think I can.

 

[tiggerlover]

I think genetics plays a big role, however, lifestyle is the biggest contributer. I think if you come from a family of large people you have to work harder to achieve and mantain a healthy weight.

 

[believe]

Genetics does play a big role. My father's family is big, some have slimmed down but only due to health issues. My Mom's family is a mix, but the majority are average. This is how my family is, some are a good size and some a small. I happen to be one that has to really work at staying at a healthy weight.

My DDs are going to encounter the same thing. DD#1 currently has DH's metabolism and build, which means she can eat whatever she wants and stays thin. DD#2 has my build and metabolism, she will have to fight to stay a healthy weight. I am hoping that by them seeing my exercise and eat better that they will continue this as they grow up.

 

[tlgoblue]

I think it is both, but as far as genetics goes, I think it's more about how your body is built/shaped than, say, BMI. Some people, no matter how "thin" they may be, will carry their weight such that they look heavy. The women on my mother's side carry their weight in their chest and abdomen. On my Dad's side, its in their arms and in their rear end. I take after my Dad's Mom.

I think lifestylecan go a long way to help. It is hard to control for the genetic factor, because so many heavy people, come from heavy parents who don't have healthy lifestyles. My DH's family are all "Meat and Potatos" folk, and even their pets are overweight. That is specific to his immediate family. Cousins, Aunts and Uncles all have what one would consider to be heathy bodies. DH's immediate family are all plagued with all the problems related to obesity. The rest, are basically healthy.

It really is both, but lifesyle can be inherited as well, and is a very difficult change to make. Good luck to us all!

Tracy