A predisposition to obesity may be as easy to overcome as spending a few hours a week at the gym, new research suggests.
Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine have found that patients who engage in a high level of physical activity can negate the effects of a gene mutation that predisposes them to obesity.
The findings are published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
The researchers studied more than 700 Amish adults who carry the mutation of the FTO gene, which is linked to body fat and obesity.
Previous research has proven that carriers of the mutation are more likely to be overweight or obese.
In their study, the researchers monitored subjects' physical activity levels by a device they wore on their hips.
The most active subjects engaged in moderately intense physical activity, such as brisk walking, house cleaning or gardening.
That translated to the use of 900 more kilocalories, a unit of energy, per day.
The researchers found that the gene had almost no effect on the weight of the most active subjects.
They also found a strong link between the gene and increased Body Mass Index in the least active subjects.
"Our study shows that a high level of physical activity can 'level the playing field,' equalizing the risk of obesity between those who have copies of the FTO gene variant and those who don't," senior study author, Dr. Soren Snitker, said in a statement.
The research is significant, as a recent British study suggested that more than half of all people of European descent have one or more copies of an FTO gene mutation.
Those who have two copies of the mutation are on average seven pounds heavier and 67 per cent more likely to be obese than those who do not have the mutation, according to information provided with the study.
The findings "emphasize the important role of physical activity in public health efforts to combat obesity, particularly in genetically susceptible individuals," the authors wrote.
The researchers noted that the FTO gene variant may be only one of several genes and mutations associated with obesity.
They also pointed out that the expression of genes linked to obesity may have changed over time as diet and exercise habits have evolved.
Further research in this field will include how diet and physical activity interact with genetic factors to contribute to weight gain.
