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In the history of the evolution of humans there were two factors that affected us: feast and famine. Our ancestors were either eating to their heart’s content or starving to death. Thus our bodies developed into a way that allowed us to store as much fat as possible during the feast times that would hold us over for the inevitable starving times. This is how we as a species survived and prospered. We also developed enzymes and peptides that told us when to eat and when not to eat. There are a few huge factors that will determine if we lose weight easily or with great difficulty: genetics, race, ethnicity, and age. Almost 70% of a person’s body mass is determined strictly through genetics and the rest, 30%, is determined by the environment around us. For example, having obese parents nearly doubles the chances that their children will become obese at some point in their lives. There are about 400 genes responsible for weight determination. Genes contribute to obesity by affecting appetite, our sense of fullness, metabolism, food cravings, body-fat distribution, and the tendency to use eating as a way to cope with stress.. Being genetically predisposed to weight gain does not automatically mean that you will become obese. Research suggests that for some people, genes account for just 25% of the predisposition to be overweight, while for others the genetic influence is as high as 70% to 80%. Your eating habits and level of physical exercise are major factors in the amount of weight you gain. Studies have shown that a peptide called Leptin may play a pivotal role in obesity. We all have a "set point" with regard to weight. Our bodies like to maintain weight in a specific range. Leptin is part of that set point mechanism. If you reduce your body weight by 10%, leptin is reduced by as much as 53%. This turns on NPY in the hypothalamus, which increases your desire to eat. If you increase your body weight by 10%, leptin increases by 300%, shutting down your desire to eat. Postmenopausal women have less leptin than premenopausal women and more NPY, making them want to eat more. Some heavy-set people have high levels of leptin, but have developed an insensitivity to it so their desire to eat continues.
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