SubscribeFight Obesity: Exercise like the Amish
Researchers recently discovered that the very physically active Amish were NOT affected by obesity genes; that some claim leave people genetically prone to obesity.
"We probably carry genes that 150 years ago were not risk factors for obesity, but because of changes in our environment, they become liabilities," Dr. Soren Snitker of the University of Maryland told Reuters.
Sure, liabilities for some, but NOT the Amish. The study, which appears in the Archives of Internal Medicine, suggests that physical activity--or some sort of exercise--allows people to overcome their genetic predisposition for obesity.
The findings also revealed that less active Amish were more likely to become overweight or obese--hey, just like us!
Okay, so it might not be practical for all of us to grow an awesome beard or plow a field, but at the VERY LEAST we should stop blaming our genes for making us fat!
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That's all the gene argument ever said-- not that it ensures you are fat... but that it gives you a predisposition towards overweight... and given one person with the genes and another without, and the same lifestyle, it is possible for the one without the genes not to become overweight while the former does. It makes it more difficult.
ReplyThose with the genes have more efficient survival mechanism in that area, from their ancestors, and in today's environment, that has become a liability instead of a benefit.
It is interesting that Amish people do not seem to have the gene that leads to obesity. Like you said though, it does prove that we all have the ability to prevent or reverse the effects of obesity. Hopefully, this can help convince people that they do have control over their weight.
ReplyAgree! And good points, Gerry... we can learn a lot from the Amish paradox. The average male takes 18000 steps a day while the avg. female takes 14000. Their obesity rate is only 4%. I realize that this is correlative, but I would say it is a strong correlation. Add to that, the fact that they eat a diet rich in refined carbs and calories and it's all the more mind-boggling. It really does fly in the face of the "exercise doesn't help"/"obesity is a genetic sentense" theorists.
That said, there are other heritable differences between Amish and non-Amish that are at play.
Replybut they don't eat a diet that is high in all the preservatives and additives in modern processed food... and that has got to have an impact....
ReplyTotally agree with this. I am pretty sure it is not their exercise that makes the difference. I truly believe it is because they eat more natural food, less processed food, less additives, less sugar! Other than that I am certain they are just like us, probably doing a little more exercise.
ReplyYeah - that is certainly a big plus for them. I wonder, though if all the calories/refined grains/deserts can override the "natural" factor. Hmmm.
Replysurely it is as simple as this - they eat less and exercise more. It's not rocket science people! so why overcomplicate it?!
ReplyI am not familiar with Amish paradox...
So, NeoVitin sadi,"... Amish people do not seem to have the gene that leads to obesity." Do you mean that Amish do not seem to have the FTO gene???
I read the Reuters report which was linked to, but the page did not mention that(Do I need to read the original report?). Is it a common sense that Amish people tend not to have the FTO gene?
Yuji Tai from Japan
ReplyNeoVitin on 09/11/08 wrote:
It is interesting that Amish people do not seem to have the gene that leads to obesity.
That is not what the study said. The study said that they had the gene, but exercise was enough to overcome it.
ReplyThank you. I got it.
Reply-Yuji
I totally agree that people can no longer blame a gene for being overweight. I have dropped over 50 lbs. and gained it all back because of my lack of exercise and lack of a proper diet. No gene. Just me.
ReplySorry to burst your bubble, but the Amish are as fat as the rest of us:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080908185228.htm
ReplyWow! That certainly is interesting... You will have to excuse my ignorance here. I'll try and dig up the source of that 4% figure. Perhaps it was an older study I was quoting.
ReplyThis is ridiculous, of course active people are going to be less overweight then the inactive ,and that's all this is it could be the Amish or any other group.
If you read the article (at least blah did) you'll notice that the Amish aren't immune to being overweight so it's not like they have some sort of inherent advantage at keeping weight off.
ReplyHey Cereal-
Did you miss this line in the post?
"The findings also revealed that less active Amish were more likely to become overweight or obese--hey, just like us!"
LOL!
Peace.
Reply-Gerry
Sorry Gerry, I didn't mean "you didn't read it" I meant the other posters, but I can see were there would be confusion so I apologize for that. I'm just tired of these articles that are more headline then anything else. Seriously the whole article could have been summed up with: "Exercise burns more calories than not exercising."
Reply>>"Exercise burns more calories than not exercising."
ReplyVery true. But I still think we should investigate whys and wherefores of obesity. Because I'd like to know why the obesity ratio is so high when the solution is so obvious (and to some so simple). This particular study may not be structurally sound (may be it is, I don't know) but I want to believe that it is done with good intentions.
I personally found the article very confusing.
In one statement is
"They analyzed gene variants and activity levels of the Old Order Amish in Lancaster County, Pa., and found that the obesity-related FTO gene had no effect on individuals who were the most physically active."
Another statement is
"These figures are in line with previous University of Maryland studies that showed that the Amish are as obese as other Caucasians in the United States."
I have to agree with cereal on this one.
I am hoping that the actual results of the study in the Archives of Internal Medicine is more revealing than how the media chose to spin this one.
ReplyThere probably is a genetic predisposition for obesity: Some can eat more than others without becoming overweight. But we probably can put this Amish thesis aside. Simply consider their way of life. You have to eat healthy. The Amish have their belief as a motivation to eat healthy.
ReplyWhen I recommend eating healthy, I usually stress that you must have a good motivation - otherwise, you probably fail. The Roman-Catholic church does not only have certain days and periods of fasting, but it also strongly recommends discipline in eating, as part of the virtue of moderation.
This post seems like common sense. Exercise "seems" to overcome the obesity gene? Of course it does. The problem with obesity is because because aren't being active enough, NOT because this so called obesity gene is taking over.
ReplyDon't forget that genes are not the only factor in obesity...gene expression has a lot to do with things. Just because one has genes "predisposing" them to obesity doesn't mean those genes are actively producing proteins that would make one obese. My guess is that in the physically fit Amish, just like most of the rest of society, aren't expressing the genes that are making them obese but the sedentary Amish are.
Incidentally, my dad's entire family was Mennonite and are from Lancaster county (Mennonites live similarly to the Amish but with fewer lifestyle restrictions). Granted, most of them were thin when they were actively farming and walking everywhere, but once they got older and more sedentary, they all put on a little weight.
ReplyI agree that the Amish life style is a healthy one because of their home grown foods AND their physical activity. When I was young, we walked everywhere. Today, kids rarely want to go out in the heat or cold let alone walk. I don't remember being bothered with temperature as a child. Keep moving!
ReplyIt is good exercise for healthe
ReplyBobbie,
I also hear that the Amish are not prone to Autism. Tens of thousands of children and not one case of Autism...just thought that was an interesting fact. I still believe that the VAST majority of obesity is caused by NOT exercising. It's funny but also sad how you hear people talk about obesity being genetic but then they stuff food down their mouths all day long. I think that heathy or unhealthy habits are inherited. Has anyone heard of an exercise vest? My wife wants me to get one, but I'd like to know if anyone has tried it. Anyone has experience with a company called http://www.hyperwear.com ? I was on this forum where a lady named Karen asked how you motivate someone who doesn't want to exercise. Well, I was thinking that maybe we have to many modern conveniences. So if we walked around with some sort of weighted suit, wouldn't that help people lose weight? Then this would help the economy!
ReplyAnyway, I think the Amish are nice folks.
Bobbie
Bobbie,
I am going to try your recommendation using an exercise vest. Someone just brought up that very thing in a conversation today! ha... http://www.hyperwear.com , huh? Is it best to call them or email? I'm not really used to buying things online.
Anyway, Sally is right about the way people love today. We have too many modern conveniences. People really used to walk everywhere they went, but now we get in our cars and sit on our butts the whole time. If you think about it, everything is now designed arounding sitting on our butts! Lol Becky
Reply