Genes, Biology and Obesity
 

Found on another newsgroup:

Scientists Discovering Genes and Biology Are
Important in the Fight Against Obesity
09-10-2004 6:09 PM
By EMMA ROSS, AP Medical Writer

LONDON -- Apart from upbringing and
environment, scientists are discovering that
genes and biology are more important in the
fight against obesity than previously believed.

"The people who are not increasing their weight
have something special _ they are resistant to
obesity," said Philippe Froguel, an obesity
exert and chair of genomic medicine at Imperial
College in London.

At 43, Anita Sanders is a sylph who can eat as
much as she likes without having to exercise
like a fiend.

"I can't say I work hard on trying to stay
slim," she admits, adding that she is passionate
about food. She puts her slimness down to lucky
genes and nervous energy.

What, then, explains the ability of Sanders and
others like her to stay thin in such an environment?
The answer is complex and not the same for everyone.

Eating increases the levels of the calming brain
chemical dopamine. Brain scans have indicated
that obese people have a lower concentration of
dopamine receptors in their brains than lean
people do.

"It's possible that some people need to eat more
to get the same level of pleasure," said Dr.
Kishore Gadde, director of obesity clinical
trials at Duke University Medical Center in
North Carolina.
Full story at:
http://sandiego.cox.net/cci/newsnati... id=D85150C80