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We are all influenced by our genes. Not just our weight but just about anything you can think of. One reason for this is because nature plans for the continuation of the species rather than the individual and the mechanism for this is genetic variation. We all know the couch potato - the person who eats like a horse, takes hardly any exercise, and is as still as slim as a rake. Conversely there seem to be those unfortunates who only have to look at a cream bun to put on 10lbs. The reason for this natural difference is basically simple. Some people are efficient at storing the energy they consume for future use. Others are more efficient at converting calories into body heat. Therefore, in times of cold, thin people (heat producers) have the best chance of survival and in times of scarcity larger people (the storers) would do best. These days, in most parts of the world, these
factors no longer apply.
We have larders and freezers filled with food of one sort or another.
And it's available on tap any time. But our bodies don't know that,
they still behave as our ancestors did ages ago and deal with
food as they did then. All this coupled with our more
sedentary
lifestyle means that those of
us who are efficient at storing energy will be the ones who tend to be
on the larger side. In extreme cases this can express itself as
obesity. If you are obese seek medical advice as there may be
underlying causes other than diet.The thing to keep in mind about all this is what we keep emphasizing. Our differences. Our natural weights will be different from each others. Those of us lucky enough to have naturally slim parents tend to be slim ourselves while those with larger parents tend to settle their weight at a more rounded level. This is how nature intended things to be. How boring if we were all the same. Only about one percent of people are naturally as slim as the models you see. Remember, your ideal weight could even be a bit heavier than you are now. The aim of this site is to make you as you were meant to be, only more so. An all round healthy diet and lifestyle will have more influence than genes. Somewhere between slim and plumpish will be a fine weight for you. Back to Body mass index
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