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Is Being Fat in Our DNA?


This is a question I have pondered for some time now. We all have different body types and some individuals are naturally more muscular while others are predisposed to be more rotund. So this fact got me thinking what if some of us are descendants of a cave man clan of fatties? Is the huskier portion of the world’s population actually an evolved version of an original group of fat prehistoric peoples? Perhaps this type of early human held on to extra body fat to preserve their own lives in times of food supply shortage.

One organ that is scientifically proven to have been utilized for internal food storage is the appendix. If the appendix served as a back up calorie source in times of need why wouldn’t fat storage as a whole be equally valuable? We have all heard the joke: “Hey, I may be fat but I’ll survive a food shortage!” I have used that line once, twice, or trice in my life time.

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So can having extra fat keep you alive in a post apocalyptic nuclear crisis? I say yes! When Earth’s food crops are molecularly incinerated and the local Taco Bell is nothing but a pile of rubble sound filled sour cream fat folks will rule the Earth. I can definitely imagine a slow trekking group of chubby cave people. I think we better craft new depictions of what early man’s body looked like, less muscle more flab. Extra large on the Woolly Mammoth skin pimp trench coat please!

Extra FAT Facts:

Our genes determine the fat and muscle composition in our bodies. Genes and heredity even call the shots when it comes to where on our frame we carry fat. If your mom has a fat butt chances are you will have one. But I advise all male readers not to blame your mothers for your man boobs.

Extra FAT Facts:
Extra fat can serve as a shock absorber during weight training. Most competitive body builders hold on to body fat during intense training to help prevent joint injuries. Of course muscle heads eventually shed the excess fat and water weight the closer they get to contest day. Nevertheless fat and water can do wonders to keep you injury free during heavy lifts and mass building. Drink at least half a gallon of water before and after training. So take that skinny people!

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Community Thoughts (30)

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  1. Ian FernandoNo Gravatar says:

    I wish I was fat… sighs… friggin genetics stops me from my goal

  2. Now I am torn…

    So Fat people will be surviving a nuclear/food crisis, but thin people look anesthetically pleasing. So what wins? Survival or Vanity?

    I choose Vanity.

    • Israel LagaresNo Gravatar says:

      A mixture of both?

    • SteveNo Gravatar says:

      *nerd mode on*
      Many radioisotopes are fat soluble, and in case of nuclear crisis, fat people will become more radioactive then their smaller companions.
      So, being fat helps in case of asteroid hit, economic collapse, and other scenarios, but make you more likely to suffer from radiation poisoning in case of nuclear disaster.

      *nerd mode off*

  3. DonuteaterNo Gravatar says:

    This is something I’ve always wondered about. Considering my dad is huge guy, I thought it’s probably my genes that are making me follow in his footsteps (or follow in his belt size, if you will). But then I think about how his parents were thin, and the rest of my family is thin. Perhaps a combo of eating habits AND genetics…who knows. This is a tough issue to resolve. It seems like people say its genetics one moment, then habits the next.

  4. Acai BerryNo Gravatar says:

    I think for some there is a genetic factor in body size, weight and how we interact with foods and their nutrients. But its not the only factor, so you can’t totally blame your condition on ‘genetics’ you can become whatever you want, you just got to believe it!

  5. I agree with this I think that you have a predefined body shape, my mum and I both put weight on the same place and when we lose weight it goes from the same area.

  6. PaunchinessNo Gravatar says:

    I think that we have a genetic predisposition to get fat but you walk a fine line if you blame fatness on DNA. Just because we have the potential to store a lot of fat there are quite a few mitigating factors in actually getting fat.

    • Israel LagaresNo Gravatar says:

      I wouldn’t go so far as to say I am fat because of my dna. There is actually something you could do about it: like getting off your butt and exercising or modifying your eating habits.

  7. DRNo Gravatar says:

    Paunchiness got it right.

    Genetics are not destiny.

    A genetic predisposition is simply that: a predisposition. It’s what you do with that predisposition that will determine the extent of the genetic expression.

    Anecdotally, I know that my body responds to calorie dense / fast absorbing sugars by laying down a layer of blubber.

    As long as I avoid the typical Western Diet and focus on vegetables, fruit & protein, my bod has no problem keeping the fat at bay

  8. Some people are just naturally larger than others. I know peopel that have roughly the same diet and a similar amount of excercise but a dramatic difference in weight.

    I would believe that our DNA has some effect on our weight in addition to our diet and lifestyle.

  9. Kenneth SenaNo Gravatar says:

    Sounds hilarious “Man Boobs!” Maybe.. fat people would possibly rule the earth if there’s a serious food crisis that happens to us right now.

  10. Adam PerezNo Gravatar says:

    Wow! What a tough issue! I actually don’t know either. However, I do believe that if there’s a will, there will always be a way of getting things done. At some point, we might blame our genes… but truthfully, we are just lame of doing the right exercise and diet…

    I agree with what Paunchiness said.

  11. I think so! But I really don’t have an idea about that. It’s just that a matter of simple basis from my friends who are also fat.

  12. Ben PeiNo Gravatar says:

    Ah.. Very nice written article. Well I believe most people use that as an excuse to get fat. Or.. Stay fat.

  13. EricaNo Gravatar says:

    Congratulations on your 47-lb weight loss! Way to go! I appreciate your post as I have the genetic thing going on in my family – its hard to break the cycle, but I believe we can. Keep up the good work!

  14. KeithNo Gravatar says:

    Doesn’t the maxim that “The strong shall survive” fit in somewhere? I certainly will take strength of mind and body in the event of post-nuclear anarchy.

    Besides, I’ve seen my dad. The end result of a latent lifestyle doesn’t excite me much.

  15. Acai SupremeNo Gravatar says:

    I think the answer to this questions is yes! It was already proven by scientists by the way.

  16. dang… with all those nations accumulating nuclear weapons, i better start eating more and getting a food storage supply @_@
    ~mike

  17. acai berryNo Gravatar says:

    I do think it has some part to do with our DNA.

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