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The subject of exercise and obesity in teens is often in the press - usually for negative reason. However, a recent
report, published in the April edition of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, demonstrates that one hour of
moderate to vigorous exercise can help teens beat the effects of a common obesity-related gene known as "fatso."
"Fatso" - more properly known as the FTO gene - is a gene associated with weight gain. Adults who carry two copies of the
gene variant - around 1 in 6 people - weigh an average of seven pounds more than those who don't carry the gene.
Researchers in Europe looked at the relationship between exercise and obesity in teens, with 752 teenagers wearing monitoring
devices for a week that measured their physical activity.
They found that teens who were genetically predisposed to obesity but who also exercised for an hour or more daily, had body
mass index scores (BMI) and body fat levels that were the same, on average, as teenagers with regular genes. In other words,
the exercise was able to off-set the potentially negative effects of the gene variant.
This is significant, because researchers also found that only 37 percent of the teenagers were free of the FTO gene - 63% of
them had at least one copy of the variant gene.
This research is thus in line with common guidelines for children and teens that they should be getting an hour or more of
physical activity daily. This can come in the form of aerobic activities such as running, jumping rope, swimming, dancing
and cycling.
With schools cutting back on physical education - most kids now have just two sessions per week - it is now more and more
important that parents ensure that their kids stay active. Unfortunately, the current trend is moving in the opposite
direction - it is estimated that school age children spend an average of five to six hours per day either watching
television, using computers or playing video games, leaving very little time free to exercise.
So how do parents get their kids exercising more? Recommendations include encouraging them to join sports clubs and
activities - either at school or outside of school - and making physical activity part of family time. Something as simple
as going for a walk in the evening or at weekends will get kids away from the screens and out doing something.
The bottom line is that both lifestyle and genes cause obesity, but at the same time, diet and exercise can offset the
inherited risk. Your genes are not your destiny, and a physically active lifestyle is the best way to avoid the perils of
obesity - for both adults and children.
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