Staying active diminishes effect of fat gene

US researchers have found evidence to suggest that regular exercise diminishes the effect of FTO – the so-called “fat gene”.

Possessing two copies of the FTO gene significantly increases a person's chance of becoming obese. However, results of a new study of the US Amish community suggest that it may well be possible to cancel the weight-promoting effects of the gene by simply staying active.

The study examined the effect of physical activity on healthy Amish men and women who possessed the FTO gene. Results showed that the association between obesity and possession of the FTO remained true in less active participants. However, very active participants – those who participated in moderately intensive activities for three to four hours each day – were no more likely to be overweight than those who do not carry the gene. This suggests that physical activity may blunt the weight-promoting effects of the gene.

"These findings emphasize the important role of physical activity in public health efforts to combat obesity, particularly in genetically susceptible people," the authors conclude.  

Rampersaud E, Mitchell BD, Pollin TI, Fu M, Shen H, O'Connell JR, Ducharme JL, Hines S, Sack P, Naglieri R, Shuldiner AR, Snitker S. Physical Activity and the Association of Common FTO Gene Variants With Body Mass Index and Obesity. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:1791-1797.