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Monday, 2nd November 2009 Change Date Latest Issue

'Billy Bunter' genes children more likely to be overweight

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Published Date: 07 February 2008
SCIENTISTS have discovered that some children are born with "Billy Bunter genes" which mean they put on weight more easily than others.
A study of more than 5000 pairs of twins aged eight to 11 showed that genes contributed 77 per cent of the amount by which their body mass and waist circumference varied.

Only 23 per cent of the differences between the children were found to be due to home environment.

Children born with the genes are not inevitably overweight, but have to work extra hard to stay slim, said study leader Professor Jane Wardle, from University College London.

"In today's environment, which provides unprecedented opportunities for all children to over-eat and be sedentary, it is not surprising these tendencies result in weight gain," she said. "It is therefore especially important to provide the best possible environment for all children to help protect those who are at higher genetic risk."

Prof Wardle's team found that being served the same food, watching the same amount of TV, playing outdoors to the same extent, and going to the same school, did not necessarily make siblings more similar.





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  • Last Updated: 07 February 2008 10:57 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Liz,

Edinburgh 07/02/2008 12:45:06

So that is good - it is nothing to do with all the processed food some eat and the fact many never get their fat backsides more than 20 yards from a television then.....
2

Jaco Pastorius,

Maine 07/02/2008 12:55:37
Better Billy Bunter's genes than Billy the Kid's.
3

Bill MacD,

07/02/2008 13:14:11
This is such nonsense. If it was genetic then we wouldn't be having the obesity epidemic just exactly at a time when the population is slobbing out on junk food and taking less and less exercise.

Fat slobs need to take responsibility for own self-indulgence, and not be given easy excuses to blame it on 'genetics'.
4

Bill MacD,

07/02/2008 13:22:16
By the way, when I diss 'fat slobs' this is in no way suggesting people should be aiming to attain totally unrealistic 'size zero' figures instead. That's just another con by the diet/beauty industry con that so many consumer victims fall into because they don't have the brains to see celeb mag propaganda as the advertising lies they are.

But really folks, if you're a lard-**** it's up to you to get off your butt and out of your pig-lazy car, and to eat better. It's not hard. Eat more natural foods - clue - avoid anything with more than five ingredients or with chemical names you don't understand... quite simple really!

Oh, and by the way, real food (yeah, you have to spend a few minutes cooking it instead of slobbing in front of the telly - don't whine!) is cheaper than industrial rubbish, so don't give me that's "can't afford it" rubbish when we all know you're wasting your cash on overpriced brands and takeaways.

I have NO sympathy with fat slobs. You're a bunch of selfish losers. Do something about it.
5

jamurai,

07/02/2008 13:38:47
Fat slobs....You have been told.
6

RCI,

BMI Bandit 07/02/2008 13:53:02
The Slob Wars. - Pull up a couch and sit down.
7

Cynicaltalk,

E Lothian 07/02/2008 13:54:51

So if its genetic, can we please lose all these tubes (Jamie Oliver, Gillian McKeith etc) who make a career out of lambasting people for enjoying life and enjoying food?

If your a porker, your gonna be a porker!
8

spiggot,

Edinburgh 07/02/2008 14:51:17
#7 No. Thats what someone wants you to think. #3's got it right!
9

,

07/02/2008 16:28:13
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
10

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

Newington 07/02/2008 18:55:48
I daresay schoolkids will be relieved to learn that it's not the White Lighning and Buckfast that's doing it.
11

John Blackley,

Winter Garden, FL 07/02/2008 19:05:14
If I've done my reading correctly, the gene in question simply makes it harder for bearers of the gene to control their weight - it doesn't, by itself, make the bearer fat.

Of course, if we put playing fields next to schools and instituted compulsory P.E. classes at least twice a week we'd be helping kids with this gene control their weight. Novel idea, huh?

While I'm here, a word to the Scotsman headline writers: 'Billy Bunter gene'? Is that nice? Is that considerate? Is that sensitive?
12

hartsmart,

canada 08/02/2008 14:49:08

Well folks, you do have pictures, the older the better--- grand parents, relatives. Yes, they do sport genes too! They look 'normal'.
Then again, if you don't have a clue about obesity, it's origin, it's cure, the gene theory becomes the escape hatch!
13

Evia,

10/02/2008 18:34:39
I don't think so. Eat sensibly, get of your bums and do some exercise. When I was younger, we didn't have so many overweight children and adult.

 

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