In the preventive medicine field, the focus of many interventions is on modifiable risk factors.  That is, things you do or conditions you have that you can change.  For example, you can quit smoking, be physically active, and eat a healthy diet to reduce risks for many chronic diseases.  You can further reduce risks by controlling things like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes by taking medications as well as adopting healthier habits. 

Then there are those unmodifiable health risks – age, race, gender, and family history (aka genetic make up).  These are things we are stuck with.  Or are we?

In the last few years, obesity researchers have tied the variants of a specific gene called the FTO gene, to an increased risk for a high body mass index.  Body mass index (BMI) is a measure of obesity.  People who have one or more of these gene variants are more likely to become overweight or obese.  Recent research suggests that physical activity may reduce the BMI level that might otherwise be expected due to the presence of this specific obesity gene variant.¹

So you may not be able to change your genes, but by being physically active, you may be able to “turn down” some of the obesity genes you have.  Couple regular physical activity with a healthy diet and you can further outwit your genes for obesity and possibly, other health conditions.

Does obesity run in your family?  Does your family run? 

¹Vimaleswaran KS, et al.  Physical activity attenuates the bodi mass index-increasing influence of genetic variation in the FTO gene.  American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  2009;90:425-428.