There's been a general understanding that between 30 and 35 percent of obese people's weight problems are related to their genetic background, James said. Within the last 10 years, research began to identify just which genes were responsible. The research McWethy and others in northern Michigan participated in narrowed it down to a region on a specific chromosome. It seems to be influencing a lot of other parameters found with obesity. The goal of the research is not to learn how to eliminate obesity but how to treat whatever problems there are that create the propensity for it - a missing enzyme, for instance, James said.
Further research is necessary to do that.
Local TOPS members said they are glad they were able to participate. Identification of an obesity gene could be a comfort to those who have struggled with a weight problem for years, if not a lifetime, they said. But she doesn't want to assume she has the gene. That's a nice idea. I won't use it as an excuse now.