Overweight and obese people with strong genetic predisposition should not lose hope in reducing their weight. A recent study showed that obese people can still lose weight contrary to the existing belief that genetic obesity is difficult to control. The findings were published in the Public Library of American Science Medicine Journal.

The study which was conducted on 20,430 people living in Norwich, Britain provided positive results. Most of the participants have 10 to 13 genetic variants which are known to increase the risk of obesity. The more genetic variants a person has, the higher his risk of becoming obese. Each DNA variant can lead to an increase of 16% for people who have sedentary lifestyles. On the other hand, people who are active or perform regular exercise has a lower risk which is 10% per genetic variant. This is a reduction of 40%, a significant result for people who has problems in loosing excess weight due to family genes.

It was also noted by the researchers that each additional variant is associated with an increase in BMI equivalent to 1.3 lbs. for a person with 1.7 meters in height. Participants who exercised, there was only an increase of 0.8 lbs. According to Ruth Loos, the head researcher from Britain’s Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, the study challenged the deterministic view of the genetic predisposition to obesity. For some people where obesity runs in the family, they may just accept their situation. Most of them find it difficult to lose weight. Others turn to various weight loss regimen including weight loss pills and dieting. But if they stopped, the weight comes back again.

Loos added that their findings further emphasize the importance of physical activity in the prevention of obesity. Obese people should not take for granted their condition as this may lead to other more severe health conditions. Obesity related diseases include heart problems and diabetes.

People who are obese because of genetic predisposition need not engage in strenuous exercises just to achieve a dramatic loss in weight. “Our research proves that even those who have the highest risk of obesity from their genes can improve their health by taking some form of daily physical activity,” said Dr. Loos. “People don’t have to run marathons to make a difference either. Walking the dog or working in the garden all counts,” she said. The genetic make-up of an individual should not become a hindrance in achieving a healthy body, it only needs a change in behavior said the researcher.

Right now, there is no need to include genetic testing for obesity because they believe that more studies should be conducted to effectively establish the effects of the different DNA variants to weight gain. “Knowing if your parents were obese is a better predictor than knowing your genome, since you not only share genes with your family, but lifestyle as well,” Dr. Loos said. However, a better understanding of the genetic make-up of an individual will help health care providers choose the best available treatment for obesity.