Mutations in the FTO gene have recently been associated with a higher risk of increased body mass index (BMI) and obesity in several large studies. According to a study in the September 8, 2008 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, individuals with FTO genetic mutations do not necessarily have to be resigned to obesity - they may be able to offset their risk through physical activity.

Investigators from the University of Maryland and their colleagues studied 704 healthy Old Older Amish individuals with various FTO mutations. They found that individuals with certain types of FTO mutations were able to blunt their genetic propensity towards obesity through physical activity.

The findings of this study reinforce the importance of promoting physical activity in public health initiatives to combat the obesity epidemic in the United States, at least in some genetically susceptible individuals.