Headline Misspeak

I don't know if these articles I read make me smarter or completely boggle my senses. In any case, I saw a news story by a Julie Steenhuysen, a Reuters reporter, with the title, Gene makes people fat, raises Alzheimer's risk. She was reporting on a study that has been published that links a variation in the FTO or fat mass and obesity gene with brain tissue loss. Her article then provides statements attributed to the study author, Paul Thompson who specifically did NOT say that the gene makes anyone fat.

But let us back up a little first. The gene in question is part of all of our make ups and is found on a certain chromosome. Scientists are studying the FTO for all the reasons you might imagine. Obesity is a real and significant health and economic concern for several countries AND anyone that can come up with diagnostic tools and pharmaceutical treatments to address it is going to make billions.

Several variants to the gene have already been identified and associated with certain outcomes. Some information is available at the UC - LA website.

People with variations in this gene - (and ethnicity is a factor) tend to weigh more than people without the variant (all other things controlled). The extra weight on average is LESS than ten pounds. This is not "gene makes you fat."

Scientists like Paul Thompson have been consistent and clear - people who have this particular obesity related allele are NOT advised to throw up their hands and ignore the exercise and weight management recommendations. Other studies have shown that people who moderate their calories and exercise daily, but have this variation, are NOT obese.

The newer research however, is showing that some persons with the FTO variant also have brain tissue loss - or shrinkage. This puts them at risk for a dementia related disease. Whether or not a person has the genetic predisposition, exercise is recommended to prevent loss of cognitive functioning, so again, ALL persons should engage in near daily exercise.

Being at risk for something because of a gene is not the same thing as being destined for that outcome. No matter what metabolic condition occurs, in 99.9% of us - the problem is too much energy in. Additionally, lack of exercise is disease promoting whether one is overweight or not. In fact, Dr. Thompson's study found that very thing. The people with the variant FTO had less brain mass whether fat or not. It has already been found that obese persons have accelerated cognitive losses - so, the answer in this new group is EXERCISE.

On the UC Newsroom website - this quote is attributed to Thompson:
"Half of the world carries this dangerous gene. But a healthy lifestyle will counteract the risk of brain loss, whether you carry the gene or not. So it's vital to boost your brain health by being physically active and eating a balanced diet."