Some people are able to tuck into chocolate every day and not gain weight, while others struggle to keep their weight down regardless of what they eat. Exactly why this is has been unclear, but now researchers point to a genetic mutation as the cause.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge in the UK say that mutation of a gene called KSR2 may cause continued hunger pangs in patients who are obese, as well as slow their metabolism - the rate at which the body burns calories.
These findings could provide some explanation for the increase in childhood obesity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in the US in the past 30 years. The increase has prompted researchers to identify possible obesity causes and interventions.
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