Why Are We Getting So Fat?

There is no simple answer, but after watching a documentary about Dr. Giles Yeo and his study of genetics in the UK, I realize that genes, environment and diet influence your weight.  Why people eat more is complex, but statistics show that people are so much heavier than ever before.  It's important to know your BMI.  If it's more than 25, you are overweight.  60% of Brits are now overweight, and it's much higher in the U.S.  Fast food is a big contributor.  Fast food restaurants have increased 45% in the last 20 years, and living near fast food outlets doubles your chance of being obese.

Genetics plays a big role in obesity.  Your FTO can be measured, which will tell you whether you have risk variants for obesity.  If you have two FTO's you are more likely to be obese, as you will gravitate to foods high in fat and carbs, and low in fiber.

Gut bacteria, of which we all have somewhere around 100 trillion in our body, can also have an influence on weight.  Donor feces is now being studied (fecal transplant) that will replace the ad bacteria one may have with good bacteria.  Also, using the feces of lean donor as opposed to overweight donors, has been found to influence GLP1, an important hunger hormone.  It's all complicated, and there are no easy answers, but science has determined that the Mediterranean diet is probably best overall.  It consists of a variety of foods, lots of fresh fruits and veggie, yogurt (good for the gut), olive oil, olives, fish and lean animal protein.  Scientists now think that bacteria may be the key to weight control.

One scientist felt sure that in the next ten years there will be a hormone injection available that will be easy, inexpensive, and pretty much end obesity.  In the mean time, millions of people world wide are struggling, many thinking it's their fault that they're fat, when in fact there are many other factors that may be contributing to their problem.