British media said that the research team checked the genetic library of more than 300,000 people, drawing the largest ever obesity gene map. The study was published in the British journal “Nature”. According to the BBC website reported on February 11, scientists discovered more than 90 new genetic regions, which may help explain why some people are more likely to be fat. Researchers at the American Society for the Study of Trait Genetics in Anthropometry analyzed the genetic factors behind body mass index (the ratio of weight to height). In another report published in the journal Nature, the researchers specifically analyzed what role genetic factors play in how fat is distributed throughout the body. For example, abdominal fat can cause more health problems than thigh fat. About 33 recently identified genetic regions are associated with whole-body fat distribution, which further explains why some people have pear-shaped bodies while others have more abdominal fat. The researchers also identified more than 60 genetic regions that affect body mass index, a number that is three times greater than previously known such genetic regions. Some of these genetic regions are also associated with the nervous system. Elizabeth Speliotis, one of the lead authors of the study and a professor at the University of Michigan, said the findings surprised her. She said, “When we think of obesity, we don’t usually think of the nervous system. This changes our understanding of obesity: it’s not just a metabolic disease, but perhaps it has a neurological basis.” The researchers believe that some genes are related to how people control their appetite and others are related to recognizing and remembering food. But researchers do not yet fully understand the impact of some genetic regions on obesity. Speliotis said the diversity of these identified gene regions suggests that fat-proneness is associated with more than just one gene. “This reduces the likelihood that one approach to weight loss will work for everyone.” Right now, she said, “we offer general advice about healthy living and weight based on gender and age. But we hope that one day this genetic information will help us to provide more targeted advice.” Peter Weisberg, director of the British Heart Foundation’s Department of Medicine, said, “We know that obesity, especially fat hoarded in the abdomen, can lead to diabetes and heart disease, but we know very little about its causes.” Weisberg said, “These findings are important because they identify genes in biochemical pathways that may lead to obesity or link obesity to diabetes and heart disease. Understanding these biochemical pathways will help us come up with new ways to prevent obesity and the serious health problems it causes.”