The World Health Organization estimates 1 billion adults are overweight and at least 300 million are clinically obese. Health officials blame the increased consumption of nutrient-poor, energy dense foods – such as sugar, saturated fat, and fast food – and reduced physical activity for the spike in obesity.
Obesity is a known risk factor for various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer.
And while poor diet and inactivity is commonly blamed for obesity, mental illness, like eating disorders and depression, and genetics may increase a person’s risk of becoming overweight or obese.
But as for genetics, in a new study, published in the Public Library of American Science Medicine journal, researchers say exercise can reduce individuals’ genetic predisposition to obesity.
The study involved 20,430 people living in Norwich, Britain and found most participants inherited to 10 and 13 genetic variants known to raise the risk of obesity; some people inherited as many as 17 variants.
Data showed each genetic variant was associated with grams of weight. In active individuals the genetic variant increase was equivalent to a 592 gram increase in body mass index, but people who exercise only had a 379 gram increase.
So the researchers reiterate that in order to help prevent obesity it is important to get plenty of exercise.
Image credit: Mushroom and Rooster
Cashew nuts have traveled the globe; native to Brazil but 
Fat around the waist – often referred to 
Take a bag of sugar and pour the sugar down your throat. That’s pretty much the same thing as eating oodles of white rice.
Sugar is hard not to like. It’s in chocolate, ice cream, candy bars, soda, doughnuts, etc. And Western diet styles – which most of the world eats nowadays – are loaded with sugar.
The rat race will run you ragged; wake up, get the kids ready, put them on the bus, drive to work, work, drive back from work, feed the kids, clean up, do laundry, pay bills, etc, etc.
Maybe you can go a day on not enough sleep, but anything more and you’re the walking dead – miserable and irritable.
Alcohol’s best use is making a fool out of yourself. But it has some health effects too.
A midday snooze on the couch sounds like a good idea – feels like one too – but making a habit out 
You can’t escape your genes. No matter how healthy you are, your family history is always a factor. Thanks mom and dad! Ugh.
