Genes linked to fat storage

Some people are fatter than others even when they eat similar food because of genes that encourage fat storage, according to a new study.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Sep 2011, 07:00 BST

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh identified a number of genes in fat tissue that may lead people to retain weight unnecessarily in the body.

They hope the discovery could eventually lead to the development of medicines targeting obesity.

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Scientists working on the study bred mice from one overweight parent and one lean parent.

The offspring that turned out to be overweight were found to have the same active genes as the fatter parent mouse, suggesting that hereditary factors play a role in fat storage and can increase the likelihood of putting on weight.