Dr. M.R. is a famous scientist known for his work in the field of obesity. He has meticulously studied the carbohydrate
and insulin model of obesity. His problem is that he is obese and unable to lose body fat despite diet, modest exercise, and his focused knowledge of nutrition. Dr. M.R. attributes his dilemma to his genetics since everyone in his family is obese and has given-up in regard to changing his risk for chronic metabolic diseases. He has embraced his obesity and his current lifestyle and medications. This situation may be politically correct and the least stressful solution for many people. In my opinion this is one of the reasons we wrote this book-to provide a wider range of information that many physicians do not have.
The question “is obesity genetically determined?” has been asked by many scientists. The estimates of the inheritability of BMI vary from 47% to 80% [1].
Do obese mothers have obese babies? The answer is yes [2].
The most interesting studies come from obese women who after bariatric surgery deliver babies who weigh less than babies delivered by obese comparable women who have not had bariatric surgery [3]. These data point to epigenetic environmental factors as the more important determinants of obesity. It is not so much the genes you were born with but the environmental factors that express certain genes and suppress others. I would guess that Dr. M.R. knew about this study since he had training in endocrinology and pediatrics.
In my opinion you can lose weight and maintain the weight loss if you are able to change your life style using all the tools and knowledge available -diet, exercise, supplements and hormone replacement. Dr. M.R. was not interested in exercise and in his 6thdecade had likely lost approximately 30% of his muscle mass and had a sedentary activity level. Like most 60 year-old men he had a total testosterone level below the median normal level. I do not know his eating habits, but he had been obese most of his life and remains so today. He is still focused on his work and not upon his own health. What is curious is that the purpose of his studies is to improve the health of others.
1.The contribution of genetics and environment to obesity
David Albuquerque Clévio Nóbrega Licínio Manco Cristina Padez
British Medical Bulletin, Volume 123, Issue 1, September 2017, Pages 159–173].
2.Maternal obesity and pregnancy outcome: a study of 287 213 pregnancies in London
NJ Sebire, M Jolly, JP Harris, J Wadsworth, M Joffe, RW Beard, L Regan, …
International journal of obesity 25 (8),2001].
3.Kral JG, Biron S, Simard S, et al. Large maternal weight loss from obesity surgery prevents transmission of obesity to children who were followed for 2 to 18 years. Pediatrics. 2006;118(6):e1644–e1649].