Advertisement

Am I Destined To Be This Size?

16:57
Download Audio
Resume
(Public domain/National Human Genome Research Institute)
(Public domain/National Human Genome Research Institute)

You know better than to expect life to be fair. But still, it's enough to drive anyone crazy: Some people seem to be able to eat anything they want and never gain weight. Others of us — well, as Juna says, you ask yourself: Is it all just genetic? Am I just "big-boned"?

She and Eddie dig into weight destiny in episode six, beginning with the basics of nature versus nurture: About 50% of weight variation stems from genetics, according to Rooth Loos, a professor of public health at the Icahn School of Medicine. The other 50% depends on environment (including exercise and outside cues that encourage unhealthy eating.) Here's a sentence that nicely sums it all up: Genes load the gun, and environment pulls the trigger.

Follow "Food, We Need To Talk" on Instagram here

Headshot of Carey Goldberg

Carey Goldberg Editor, CommonHealth
Carey Goldberg is the editor of WBUR's CommonHealth section.

More…

Advertisement

More from Food, We Need To Talk

Listen Live
Close