Can obesity be genetic?

I come from a fat family. My father, mother, and grandparents on both sides were dangerously overweight and now I'm overweight too. Is it genetic or a coincidence?

Yes, the predisposition to be overweight can in fact run in families, and it can certainly be a contributing factor in weight problems.

However, also passed on through generations are eating atiitudes and habits. Foods that we may have grown up with when our parents were trying to feed a family on a budget may not have been the healthiest choices. (Bad food is cheap.)

We accept these foods and enjoy them. They are often the foods we return to when we seek comfort, or a fond memory.

It can take a complete rethinking of our atiitudes and relationships with foods to overcome a tendency to overeat. While we cannot control our genetics, we can work at controling our behavior.

Good luck.

There have been studies that say obesity can be genetic. While this may be true, I think it's dangerous information, because it's going to give a lot of overweight people a get out of jail free card, in that they will say "It's genetic, there's nothing I can do about it."

What you need to understand is that your family genes may have made you prone to obesity, but living a healthy lifestyle, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly will get you to a healthier weight.

You will probably never be supermodel thin, but try to remember that obesity isn't just about looks, it's about your health. People who are overweight have a lot more health problems that people who maintain a healthy weight. They have more heart problems, are prone to diabetes and the added weight over the years will cause stress on the joints, which will lead to knee, hip and back problems.

It's largely the amount of food consumed and they type of food. There are, however, cases in which a genetic or birth defect can alter the way the digestive system receives food and weight would be gained much faster.

perhaps in part. but largely, it's under your control. your whole family has probably been taught to eat a certain way. eat a chicken breast, small portion of brown rice and a bit of brocolli for dinner each night and see how much you'll lose. oh, and no sodas, candy cakes, etc.

Its genetics, I know because I have the same problem as you. Both of my family's are huge and especially my dads. It is genetics

But you can change your metabolic rate if you excercise daily. Your metabolism remains fast for the rest of the day and slowly starts to slow down.

I try to have a naturally skinny persons metabolism. And to do this you pretty much eat tons of food and excercise all day. Eventually you will have a faster metabolism to where you become skinny.

dieting makes you lose weight but the less you eat the slower your metabolism gets. They simply burn more then what they eat. But I went for buring more then the buffet meal. haha I lost weight so you can to!!!! just work twice as hard when you work out. much better then eating less. trust good dave. he knows what hes talking about

Well, you can be more prone to obesity, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to be overweight. Rethink what you're eating and what exercise you're doing - And be completely honest with yourself.

If you do have a slower metabolism, it may be a thyroid problem - Check it out with your doctor.