Yes, there are numerous genes that
pre-dispose some of us to gaining weight, some genes that pre-dispose some
people to gaining lots of weight (and we will likely find dozens more of those
genes over the next few years), meaning that if all else is equal, especially
in this day of unlimited access to food, people with such genes will gain
weight sans respite.
That’s the bad news.
The great news, though, is that several
studies have found that for most people, environment can trump genes, meaning
that even if you’ve inherited a tendency to gaining weight, there are things
you can do that can override that tendency.
The latest such study is one presented at a
meeting of the American Heart Association that found that when people with a
genetic predisposition to obesity could be encouraged to walk briskly for one
hour a day, their risk for obesity dropped by 50 % compared to non-walkers.
In other words, everyone out there who is
convinced that they can’t possibly lose any weight and who yet spends the North
American average of (an amazing?) 4 hours a day watching TV, can probably lose
some weight (or at least stop themselves from gaining more weight) if they just
swap one hour a night of Gardening with the B-Stars for a brisk walk.
And think of all the other gains you get
from swapping TV for walking, like, for example, more of a social life and way,
way improved brain function.
The only thing you should not cut down on
when considering watching less tv is: Health Headlines with Dr. Art Hister on
Global TV in BC.
In fact, the more of that you watch, the
better your health.
Just suggesting.
