Your genes are not your destiny

The Oct. 28 article, "Are weight loss drugs tricks or treats?" claims that gaining weight is a genetic trait and some have "lost the genetic lottery."

Expression of a physical trait is dependent on hundreds of genes acting in concert and is heavily influenced by their interaction with environmental factors. Most genes have plasticity, the same genes are expressed differently in different environments (like skin color in the sun), including hundreds of genes that contribute to metabolism, satiety, cravings and body fat deposition.

In most cases, choices that create environmental conditions affect weight, not a "genetic lottery."

In 50 years, adult obesity rates in the U.S. have tripled. No data suggest that people with obesity genes reproduce three times more than the rest of the population. Contrarily, studies suggest obesity can cause infertility. 37.3% of the U.S. population is obese. The global average is 13%. No data support that obesity genes are 24.3% more prevalent in the U.S. relative to other countries.

Studies support that deficient leptin genes that cause obesity are extremely rare. MC4R, one implicated obesity gene, is found in less than 5% of obese people, but U.S. obesity rate is 37.3%.

However, U.S. caloric intake is 24% higher since 1960, mostly from consuming calorically dense but nutrient poor animal products, processed foods and oils. On average, Americans consume 30% more calories daily than USDA recommendations and 95% are fiber deficient due to lack of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Epidemiological evidence shows as the U.S. diet spreads to other countries or when immigrants adopt a U.S. diet, those populations gain weight.

Stress, lack of exercise and, importantly, diet, are known environmental factors that influence weight. Oversimplifying any human condition as purely genetically based is fatalistic and wrong. Ultimately, environmental conditions are important contributors to gene expression

Anthony Ippolito

Arlington Heights