Fat people 'genetically programmed to eat more'

London, June 21 (PTI) - If you think obese people eat
more just because they are greedy, you are wrong, for a study
has revealed that their bodies are genetically programmed to
demand more calories.

Researchers at Aberdeen University have carried out
the study and discovered that people who carry a variation of
a gene linked to increased obesity eat more food as compared
to those without it.

"We have found the first hard evidence linking the 'at
risk' variant of the gene with increased food intake in humans
-- our data clearly suggests that people with this variant of
the F.T.O. gene may become fatter as they are driven to
consume more food.

"Because this over consumption may be driven by their
genes, it may be far harder for such people to control their
intake than people who do not carry 'at risk' variants of food
intake control genes.

"Greater consumption of food doesn't mean that people
are being greedy," lead researcher John Speakman was quoted by
British newspaper 'The Daily Telegraph' as saying.

The researchers came to the conclusion after analysing
150 people in the north-east of Scotland, aged 21 to 60.

They monitored their food intake over seven days and
took blood samples and other measurements of physical fitness
and then calculated the amount of energy burnt while they were
actually resting.

The results showed that people with the variant gene
ate between 120 and 290 calories per day more than those who
did not have the "at risk" variant. PTI