According to a recent European study, an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise per day will help the teens beat the common obesity-related gene which is also known as "fatso". The study found a place in the April edition of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
The research supports guidelines issued by US. It states that teenagers and children should at least workout for an hour a day. Aerobic activities like jumping rope, swimming, dancing, running, and bicycling will aid in shedding the extra pounds. One can also try Yoga and such forms of healthy activity.
Scientists have found trailing evidence that it's the lifestyle and genes which are the main causes of obesity. Researches are afoot as to how they can be controlled through diet and exercise.
The main gene is the FTO gene which is responsible for obesity. 1 in 6 people approximately carry two copies of this gene form. So as an effect they weigh around 7 pounds more than they should.
In a recent study conducted, 752 teenagers whose blood tested positive for FTO genes were put on regular workouts. They wore monitoring devices for a week to see the difference that physical exercises make to them.
Physical activity and exercising regularly made the huge difference for the adolescents who were genetically inclined to obesity. Their body mass index and other relevant things were similar to the teenagers with normal genes. However, it was found that these boys or girls had higher BMI, body fat and bigger waist, if they did not carry out the desired one hour of workout. This study was funded by the Spanish and Swedish governments and the European Union. The teenagers were based in countries like Spain, Austria, Sweden, Italy, France, Hungary, Belgium, Germany and Greece.
The study also inferred that minimum of one copy of the gene was found in all teenagers. Only 37% had regular genes and all the rest had one or two copies of variant gene.
However, earlier a study was conducted on Amish adults in Lancaster County. It was found that moderate activity of 3-4 hours was needed to break the gene. The physical activities undertaken were brisk walking, gardening and house cleaning.
Ruiz concluded that the teens in the new study had performed vigorous workout compared to the Amish adults. The new study was done to check as to what extent the US guidelines that recommended one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise hold good for kids.
The new study is very interesting, because it suggests teens to do just one hour of exercise.
University of Miami researchers are now busy in conducting similar studies for adults.
It has been said that genes are not destiny and this message is crystal clear through the new study. Those who are at a risk of obesity due to presence of FTO genes should make a deliberate effort towards having physically active lifestyle. Exercises, drink lot of water, follow Yoga and you are on your way to obese free and healthy lifestyle.
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