HomeGeneticsGenetic ResearchSkinny Genes May Be The Secret To Staying In Skinny Jeans

Skinny Genes May Be The Secret To Staying In Skinny Jeans

Thinness, like obesity, is a heritable trait in the genetic lottery.

In winning the genetic lottery news, a study recently published in PLOS Genetics suggests that skinny genes may be the secret to staying slim. The paper describes how scientists discover the secret behind why some people are skinny while others pack on the pounds incredibly easily, revealing newly discovered genetic regions linked to being very slim.

Researchers have found hundreds of genetic changes that can increase the chances of being overweight in recent decades, but there really hasn’t been much focus placed on the genes of those who are thin. This study sought to fill in some of those gaps. 

Looking for skinny genes

For this study, DNA samples from 1,622 healthy thin participants with a BMI of less than 18 were compared with those of 1,985 participants who were severely obese as well as with those from 10,433 people of normal weight to investigate the possibility of skinny genes. All of the participants filled out lifestyle questionnaires which were closely examined to rule out eating disorders as one example. 

According to the researchers, those who were obese were more likely to carry a set of genes that are linked to being overweight. While those who were skinny were found to win the genetic lottery, not only did they have fewer genes linked to obesity, but they also had changes in gene regions which may hold skinny genes that are newly associated with healthy thinness. 

“This research shows for the first time that healthy thin people are generally thin because they have a lower burden of genes that increase a person’s chances of being overweight and not because they are morally superior, as some people like to suggest,” said Lead researcher Professor of Metabolism and Medicine NIHR Sadaf Farooqi, from the University of Cambridge.

Genetic lottery differences

“It’s easy to rush to judgement and criticise people for their weight but science shows that things are far more complex,” said Farooqi. “We have far less control over our weight than we might wish to think.”

“Genes play at least 40% of a role in people’s weight,” said Farooqi. “It’s much more than people realize.”

“This is an important and well-conducted study confirming that precocious severe obesity is often genetically determined and showing convincingly that those who are very thin are genetically different from the general population,” said Prof Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics, at King’s College London in an editorial comment. “Most obesity is acquired in adult life and is linked to the obesogenic environment we live in – a sedentary lifestyle and abundant access to calorie-dense foods.”

According to Professor Tim Spector, from King’s College London, about a third of people in most countries managed to remain thin despite this. “Some of this is down to genes but other factors like individual differences in lifestyle or gut microbes are likely to also be responsible,” he said.

Seeking more knowledge on skinny genes

Moving forward, the next step is to try to determine the exact skinny genes that are involved in healthy thinness. The long-term goal is to use this new knowledge to help develop new weight-loss strategies for those who weren’t as lucky in the genetic lottery.

These health experts say that regardless of your shape or genetic makeup with or without skinny genes, the sage advice of maintaining an active lifestyle and healthy level of exercise when following a healthy diet still remains relevant. 


As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 

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References/Sources/Materials provided by:

https://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1007603#abstract0

https://www.goos.org.uk

https://cambridgebrc.nihr.ac.uk/our-research/

isf20@medschl.cam.ac.uk

Tamsyn Julie Webber
Tamsyn Julie Webberhttp://www.worldhealth.net
I'm a healthy aging advocate and journalist at WorldHealth.net working to help spread the message of Alternative Medicine, longevity, health, wellness, well-being, and the use of gentler more natural approaches whenever possible. To keep receiving the free newsletter opt in.