Is Obesity Predestined?
Numbers of scientists claim that genes for fat cause obesity. One proof offered is that identical twins—twins from one egg(100% of genes in common)—are closer in weight than are fraternal twins (50% of genes in common) even when reared apart. Also, according to a few scientists, grown-up adopted children have weights closer to those of their biologic versus adoptive parents. What’s more, obesity runs in families; fat parents often have fat children. Upon reflection, though, family obesity may have as much to do with family practices—much eating, not much exercising—as it does with genes in common; indeed, fat pet owners are liable to have fat pets. One may well be genetically predisposed to becoming obese, but predisposed isn’t the same thing as predestined: genes may make reducing more difficult, not impossible. Both nature and nurture, genes and environment, play major roles in the story of getting and staying fat.