Children with the gene chose more fatty, sugary foods People who
carry a gene variant linked to obesity eat an average of 100
extra calories per meal, research suggests. The key variant of
the FTO gene is thought to be carried by 63% of people. The New
England Journal of Medicine study, by the University of Dundee,
carried out eating tests on 100 children aged four to 10. Those
with the gene variant chose foods with more sugar and fat,
suggesting they were instinctively drawn to them rather than
healthy options. Each child in the study took part in three
eating tests, offering a range of different food types. People
with the relevant variants on the gene have a trait which may
lead them to eat more unhealthy, fattening foods Professor Colin
Palmer University of Dundee The researchers found that the gene
variant had no impact on the speed at which the body broke down
food, or on how active people were. There was also no evidence
that those who carried it had any trouble registering when they
were full up and s