Do genes make it impossible for some people to lose weight?

Question

Both my parents are obese. I was as well for most of my life. but when I moved out and started cooking for myself, I lost a few pounds. Encouraged by this, I also started working out daily and even more weight came off. I am now 53 lbs lighter, and the weight is continuing to come off at three or four pounds every month. As you can imagine, I am feeling far better about myself than I had when I was heavier. The problem is, my parents told me all my life that I could never stop being obese because of the genes I had inherited from them. I never really got along with them, and the fact they falsely justified my obesity as bad genetics is something I am not happy about. I am curious if there was any truth to what they had told me. If there really are people who's genes render them unable to lose weight regardless of how much effort they put into it.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

While some races or subraces may be more predisposed to building up fat reserves (eskimos and plains indians in the US are an ex ample of gene preference) there are no genes that prevent someone from losing weight. I am overweight but have lost 16 pounds in the last 17 days following surgery--could not eat for several days, and still have no appetite so I eat only a little bit.  Probably like me, your parents eat meal portions that are much too large and so their weight stays up even if they exercise a bit.  In the US, the biggest problems causing obesity are:

lack of exercise, oversize food portions, and high fructose corn syrup which is in almost all processed foods these days.   But anyone can lose weight if they reduce the amount of food they take in, especially the calorie count.  An average person burns maybe 2000 calories a day, and if fewer calories are taken in than are burned, weight loss will happen. Exercise increases the caloric burn plus helps reduce hunger urges.  

Answer 3

I had an article once that stated genetics only influences your weight by 30%.

The rest of your weight has to do with your lifestyle. What your eating and you physical activity. This means most people have a chance to get past obesity caused by genetics.

Answer 4

i would not use genetics as an excuse for the weight gain. my parents were obese too and i understand where yours are coming from. i lost about 55 lbs and now i know im going to have to watch it and keep at it and go to the gym and stuff forever. i think that is what they meant.

Answer 5

I think sometimes being overweight is genetic, but very rarely is obesity. your parents might actually believe this, so they weren't necessarily lying to you.  Most people are overweight b/c of lifestyle choices, but there are people who are more prone to being overweight than others. For example, my boyfriend was wiry and skinny as a child and now he can eat as much ice cream as he wants and he never gets  more than a little tiny bit of a belly.  But, i know other men who eat the same as him and are really chubby. So, some of it is genetics, but not usually as extreme as to cause obesity. that's usually caused by diet and exercise (or lack of it) choices.  

Answer 6

lol i am trying to gain weigh, so how do u do it?

i need to gain 30 pounds to be normal.  

Answer 7

I'm sure there are cases of inherited obese genes.  But, aren't you happy to have broken that barrier & feeling better about yourself, with more energy, healthy eating habits & general well being?  You should really be proud of yourself.  I'm sorry your parents were not motivated enough to share the excitement of healthy weight loss like you managed to do.  Some folks get into the same old routine of eating things that aren't good for them or mostly starchy items & they don't have the will power to break that habit.  Please don't harbor bad feelings toward you parents  - they just failed to realize you needed a healthier diet when you were growing up.  May you live a long & happy, healthy life.