Are some people immune to obesity? (America, experience)

[Djamila]

A series of studies in Europe have all released results, at more or less the same time, that suggest some people have a genetic immunity to obesity.

One such study was carried out at the University of Tuzla, in northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

30 students participated in the study and the results suggest that four of them have an immunity to obesity.

Researchers first monitored the students for two weeks to determine their average daily calorie consumption. They determined the 30 students, 15 male and 15 female, consumed an average of 1,832 calories every day.

Researchers then had to determine exactly how many calories each student burned while at rest, which was found to be the equivalent of an average of 809 calories every day.

The students were then provided with enough food, free of charge, to consume as many calories daily as the average American does: 3,330.

Three students gained, on average, more than two pounds every day and had to be excused from the study.

A vast majority of the students gained between 0.5 and 1 pounds per day.

Four of the students, however, didn't gain any weight at all. Furthermore, when the number of calories they burn at rest was remeasured - it was found to have doubled, to an average of 1,692 per day. These four students, all female, actually experienced a doubling of their basic, at rest metabolism simply because they consumed more calories - with no significant changes to lifestyle or physical activity.

Isn't that amazing?

[Zephyr]

Awesomeness. Metabolisms are weird. I eat like a pig (and a good amount is of dubious health benefit) and I'm not usually very active, yet I don't gain weight and the doc says I'm right where I should be as far as my weight goes. My girlfriend, on the other hand, eats FAR less than I do and swims and plays tennis extremely often, yet she's a cuddly little lady. Sure, a cuddly little lady that could take me in a fight or kick a horse to death, but metabolism is weird.

[Victor]

I can almost infallibly proclaim my wife is. She is 5'-9"....125 lbs....and never gains a pound. And we are on our 3rd child. Truth be told....I'm the one that is gaining.... .

[evearael]

I'm like that and many of the people in my family are like that... until about the age of 25. That's apparently the age where we have to actually watch our diets and exercise or we pay for it like everyone else. Even the weight of pregnancy melted off in just a few months (and then I kept losing and had to try to put it back on...).

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by Victor

I can almost infallibly proclaim my wife is. She is 5'-9"....125 lbs....and never gains a pound. And we are on our 3rd child. Truth be told....I'm the one that is gaining.... .

There'll be a certain age when that stops being effortless...what a pain in the butt that is.

[Quoth The Raven]

Originally Posted by evearael

I'm like that and many of the people in my family are like that... until about the age of 25. That's apparently the age where we have to actually watch our diets and exercise or we pay for it like everyone else. Even the weight of pregnancy melted off in just a few months (and then I kept losing and had to try to put it back on...).

I was back in the same sized clothes I was wearing before pregnancy within a week with all of them. It was in between that made the difference. Crept up a size between each.
I blame my mother and that whole,'clean your plate because there's starving kiddies in Etheopia thing'...somehow it extends to cleaning your kid's plate once they start eating real food. Gotta hate that.
Apparently you also gain weight and have trouble losing it if you're not getting sufficient sleep. Also a higher muscle to body fat ratio will burn more kilojoules, BUT a fatter person actually burns more kilojoules to sustain their weight...read that somewhere ages ago. Someone's Weightwatchers cookbook I was reading through, I think.
There could have been a lot of variables between the students who gained and those who didn't. I'm always dodgy on this sort of stuff...it somehow always ends up with some 'cure' for obesity aimed at people who prefer a quick fix to a change of lifestyle.

[MaddLlama]

It probably has at least something to do with your body somatotype, which is determined by genetics. Of the three, ectomorphic body type people have a very hard time building muscle and weight.

[jacquie4000]

I think it is mostly the genetic makeup of your family backgroud. MY mom's side of the family gains muscle vary easily and also needs to watch their weight. My dad's side of the family is lean and can eat all they want. Funny thing is my moms family as far as health even with a little extra weight has a history of long life. My fathers side has a history of heart disease and earlier death.

I have a muscular build and need to somewhat watch my weight. My son is built exactly like his father. Thin with long lean muscle and can eat all day...lol.

[Djamila]

I gain weight very easily, I think - but I also lose it very easily. If I go a few days without cevap and fries, I can loose two or three pounds.

I'm certainly not immune to becoming obese though. lol