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Slide 1: How much is fat gene responsible for your obesity? A mutation in a so-called fat gene known as FTO gene can be held responsible for obesity. An in-depth study of this gene explains its role leading to weight gain. But can FTO gene be called the sole culprit causing obesity? Go through this article to get an overview of genetic factors and environment factors leading to obesity. Is it right to blame your “genes” if your “jeans” don't fit? For those who are looking forward to loss weight, genetics can be a comforting science. People carrying a certain type of gene (FTO gene) can be at 70% more risk of gaining weight as compared to those without it. This gene is known to cause overeating and obesity. But does this mean obese people bear a little responsibility for their weight? Studies have shown that a variation in FTO gene doesn't have any impact on metabolism, but rather on the eating habits, especially high-calorie food. In particular, it is only responsible for calorie consumption rather than how the body burns those calories. Overweight and obese conditions are determined by both environmental and genetic factors. Environmentally, weight gain depends upon behaviours such as what and how much you eat and the extent of physical activity you do. However, it has been found that environmental factors matter more than what your FTO gene is contributing. The bottom line is that if you want to fight obesity, you need to maintain a healthy and balanced diet along with regular exercise rather than sitting back and blaming FTO gene. Your genetic make up alone cannot determine your “fat destiny”; you still have control and power to control your weight. With strong willpower and determination, you can fight off your genetic predisposition that propels you to eat unhealthily. You should not let your FTO genes be your excuse to gain extra pounds. If being fat is in your head, so is being thin. Lifestyle changes to manage obesity Obesity doesn't simply result from unhealthy eating or lack of physical activity, but it is a result of modern lifestyle patterns. You can look forward to losing weight by making an effort to eat healthy foods rich in protein and fibre and low on fat and sugar, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain. Eating breakfast everyday on time, cutting down on fast foods, and healthy snacking can help you keep your body weight under control. People who have body mass index (BMI) in the range of 30-34.9 should reduce consumption of about 500 calories to achieve one pound weight loss. Those having BMI above 35 can lose this much body weight by reducing their calorie consumption by about 500-1000 calories. Secondly, to maintain your weight, you must burn the same amount of calories that you take. But if you want to lose weight, your calorie usage should be more than your calorie consumption. Following a regular exercise regime is the way ahead to control weight and even reduce the risk of a number of health conditions.
Slide 2: Can a pill help control weight? For many people, regular exercise along with healthy and balanced diet cannot provide the desired weight loss that they look for. Slimming pills are prescription medications for an effective obesity treatment. These pills are categorized as fat burners, appetite suppressants, and fat blockers. Fat burners or metabolism boosters work by increasing the rate of metabolism in the body to burn more calories required for weight loss. Appetite suppressants are prescription medications that work in the brain to curb hunger. Lastly, fat blockers work in the digestive tract to prevent absorption of up to 30% of dietary fat. The undigested fat is then excreted out of the body by bowel movements. Xenical is one such fat blocker slimming pill that should be taken in conjunction with balanced diet and regular exercise to lose weight. Orlistat is the active ingredient in this slimming pill, which inhibits the action of an enzyme known as lipase that breaks down fat into smaller molecules to be absorbed in the body. For more information on Obesity treatment and weight loss pills visit our health blog : Expert Medical Advice