How much do your genes effect your weight?

Every person is born with completely unique DNA. We inherit all kinds of traits from our parents, from the color of our hair, to the very way we think. Nature and nurture both play a part in who we are, but how much does nature have to say about how your body maintains weight? The answer isn’t exactly cut and dry, but there are a lot of genetic factors that can play into your relationship with food.

If you and your family members are more prone to depression or addiction, you might have a rougher time getting a handle on your diet. Depression is not entirely genetic, but your brain can be predisposed to certain behaviors when you start to feel sad or lonely. If, as a child, you learned to medicate with food, you might find yourself heading to the cupboard the next time you’re feeling down. Coupled with an apathy towards exercise, this could really work against your weight loss goals. Luckily, with omega-3s, social interaction, and healthy exercise, you can whip depression-related weight gain straight away.

Another weight-related trait you may have inherited comes down to digestion. The way your body handles the food that comes into it, and how it chooses to store that fat is largely genetic. If your mom tended to carry her weight around the middle, you might to. However, if your mother naturally had a high metabolism, you can benefit from that too. The most encouraging thing to remember is that you can overcome your genetic predispositions with good habits and healthy diet.