Guest Author - Violette DeSantis

Scientists in New Zealand report that obesity is not the direct result of “bad genes.” While many have been led to believe that perhaps their current weight problems had much to do with a genetic pre-disposition, it is more possible that our bodies are being sent messages as early as in the womb that tell us how to plan to eat for survival.

Researchers learned that when a mother has not received enough nutrients, her baby’s body prepares for fewer nutrients. In addition we know that when we make poor food choices, we set our body up for continuous failure. It is these poor food choices, not bad genes, that set our bodies up for weight gain, the same choices our mothers made or had to make based on what was available to her, that sent the wrong signals to our bodies.

If our parents did not have the right information regarding food choices and how to eat right to maintain a healthy body that does not mean that we can not teach our body what is right and teach it new survival methods.

First thing to do is learn about nutrition. You can go to MyPyramid.gov for Kids to find resources about eating healthy. You can learn the basics by studying the food pyramid which has been an essential part of teaching us about how to eat the right amounts of the good foods and to eat fewer quantities of the not so good foods.

Every five years new dietary guidelines are updated from important research similar to what we learned about the study in New Zealand that was conducted by scientists from Auckland University’s Liggins Institute. Scientists in many different fields study our health and eating habits and make important decisions on what we should do to make or keep our bodies healthy.

Currently in the United States, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, is the most up to date “science-based advice on food and physical activity choices for health.” Guidelines are set for all people over the age of 2 years, including pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The most important thing learned from the recent study from Auckland University’s Liggins Institute in New Zealand is that if we are overweight, we might not have to stay that way because we thought it was hereditary, (through genetic design).

Nutrition is a great topic for any family. If you have concerns with your diet (the food you eat), then it is always good to talk to someone about it and if necessary get more information from a health care provider who can help you determine the safest way to make changes in your diet.