Professor Jane Wardle, of Health Behavior Research Centre at University College London, studied 131 children aged four to five years, who were offered cookies immediately on finishing a meal. It was believed that kids, who binged on the goodies after a whole some meal, were likely to carry one or two variants of the FTO gene.
Professor Jane said, "Previous research has shown the FTO gene is linked to larger body size. We believe this new research tells us more about how some children are more responsive to signals in their bodies encouraging them to eat when full than others. Knowing how the genes
define work is the first step to minimizing these negative effects."
She further commented that some children do not know when to stop, which can lead to obesity and other related health problems. Children with risky gene variants have weaker satiety responses and they struggle to recognize when they are full.
Professor Wardle clarified, "It is not simply the case that people who carry the risky variant of this gene automatically become overweight – but they are more susceptible to overeating. This makes them significantly more vulnerable to the modern environment which confronts all of us with large portion sizes and limitless opportunities to eat."
The researchers hoped the new breakthrough would pave the way to understand why some kids become over weight and obese, giving them insight in to the kids’ response to signals goading them to binge even when they are full. "We hope this research will help improve our understanding of the causes of childhood obesity so that better measures can be taken to reduce it.’Children with higher risk versions of the gene might be helped if parents do their bit to keep temptations out of the homes.”
Studies have linked obesity to heart disease, diabetes and six types of cancerdefine. The common factor is unhealthy diets. Sara Hiom, director of health information at Cancer Research, wanted parents to provide healthy snacks as opposed to chocolates and junk food to encourage children to stop eating when full. She emphasized the importance to be cautious of excessive diet and lack of exercise.
She stated, "A genetic propensity to overeating doesn't doom a child to a lifetime of obesity. But it does allow us to think about how we can best help the children most at risk of becoming obese.”
Sara Hiom feels that "This work attempts to understand what underlying biological processes are involved in eating too much. But it's important to remember that not all children with these 'high' risk genes will over eat – other influences are very important too – including the eating habits of parents and the types of food made available."
In United Kingdom alone, 12,000 people could be able to dodge cancer by maintaining a healthy body weight.
The study appears in the International Journal of Obesity.
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