Genes may drive us to (soft) drink

There could be something in the phrase, “I’m not fat, I’m just big-boned”. Endocrinologists from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have applauded a study that shows a direct correlation between consumption of sugary soft drinks, obesity and genetic predisposition to weight gain.

Associate Professor Jerry Greenfield, Professor Katherine Samaras and Professor Lesley Campbell wrote a letter to the editor of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) to commend the study and underline the degree to which appetite is genetically determined, rather than being just a lifestyle choice.

“Our point is that people are consuming more calories because their genes are driving them to do so,” said Associate Professor Greenfield.

“Genes not only drive people to eat more, they also predispose at-risk people to gain more weight with calorie overconsumption. It’s a double whammy.”

The NEJM article in question found that, in three large groups of men and women, those with more obesity genes tended to drink more soft drink and have a greater BMI.

The Garvan researchers believe that public health policy could be better targeted if policy makers understood that, for some people, appetite is not something they can control.

“Policy should reflect the scientific basis of food intake - in other words, people who eat too much and put on weight are not just over-consuming because they are greedy, they actually have a very strong drive to eat,” Greenfield said.

“Understanding the genes that promote obesity may or may not allow us to develop therapies. At the very least it tells us where, and at whom, to target interventions.”

The original article by Qi et al was published in the 11 October 2012 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.