Obesity may not only be linked to diet and exercise — new research suggests it could be influenced by genetics.
Dr. Mattia Frontini, a senior fellow at the British Heart Foundation and associate professor at the University of Exeter, explained that while obesity has many causes, this study has discovered a clear genetic trigger. Researchers used data from the UK Biobank, a long-term biomedical database, to compare people with a genetic mutation to those without it. This gene, known as SMIM1, was found to affect thyroid function and energy expenditure.
Women with the mutation weighed an average of 4.6 kilograms (10.14 pounds) more, and men weighed an average of 2.4 kilograms (5.29 pounds) more. The mutation leads to lower energy usage, which means extra food intake is stored as fat instead of being burned.
Dr. Philipp Scherer, from the University of Texas, called this an exciting breakthrough, noting that this is the first time a specific gene related to obesity has been identified. However, the mutation is rare, affecting only about 1 in 5,000 people. Still, when considering large populations, many individuals may be unaware that their struggle with obesity is linked to this genetic factor.
Thyroid dysfunction, a common issue affecting nearly 2% of the UK population, could be treated with inexpensive medication. The next phase of research will focus on whether people with this mutation can benefit from such treatments, improving their quality of life.
For now, experts stress that obesity is influenced by a range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and sleep patterns. The best current medical treatments for obesity are medications like GLP-1, and gradual, sustainable lifestyle changes.
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