"A specific form of a gene previously linked to obesity, FTO, can increase craving for high-fat foods" (JCI Article). In this certain JCI article, a group of researchers found that a certain gene contained in the human body named FTO located on chromosome 16. FTO stands for Fat Mass and Obesity associated gene. This gene makes humans have a constant craving for high fat foods. .
Many Americans believe people are obese only because they are lazy and just over eat, which is partly true. Many people are just too lazy to do physical activity throughout the day, and that is a fact. "Scientists using a new way to look at data concluded that the main reason that obesity has risen sharply in the United States in recent decades is predominantly because of over-eating rather than lack of physical activity" (MNT Article). People in today's society tend to over eat. With many serving sizes on many food rising over the years, people are used to over eating. Many people over eat because they eat three large daily meals instead of smaller portioned meals with snacks. Reasons why people over eat may be emotional, mental or just because they are very hungry. "The rapid absorption of glucose after consumption of high-GI meals induces a sequence of hormonal and metabolic changes that promote excessive food intake in obese subjects," (Blanco 2). Many obese people never feel full, so they over indulge on what they are eating, which in turn, makes them even more obese. Due to over eating, obese people take in way more calories per meal. "Attempts at explanation have been explicitly based on the concept that the excess calories accumulated as fat must reflect an abnormally large caloric intake," (Ludwig 1). The more calories per meal, the more fat that is stored in the body. All in all, people are over eating and not doing enough physical activity to live a healthier life and are just becoming more obese every day.