Active lifestyle can mitigate genetic obesity risk
Active lifestyle can mitigate genetic obesity risk
A physically active lifestyle can help people with a genetic predisposition to obesity, new research has found.Exercise is beneficial for all people and can boost health and wellbeing, but experts from the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge, UK, noted that it is particularly effective for those who are genetically inclined towards obesity.
Their research revealed that the genetic predisposition to obesity can be reduced by an average of 40 per cent through increased physical activity.
More than 20,000 people took part in the study which examined 12 different genetic variants which are known to increase the risk of obesity.
It was found that engaging in exercise helped to overcome the effects of each genetic variant.
The authors said: "Our findings further emphasise the importance of physical activity in the prevention of obesity."
According to Dr Richard Weiler, a specialist in sport exercise and medicine, people who fail to exercise are risking their health more than those who are simply obese. He urged people to adopt an active lifestyle in order maintain good health.
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