Is There A Laziness Gene?

Have you ever wondered why you can't get off the couch and exercise -- despite paying for an expensive gym membership, despite your New Year's resolutions, even despite the doctor's scolding at your last check-up? Turns out that your inertia may be coded right into your genes.

Based on some intriguing, preliminary studies in animals, J. Timothy Lightfoot, a kinesiologist, and his team at University of North Carolina, Charlotte, suggest that genetics may indeed predispose some of us for sloth. Using mice specially bred and selected according to their activity levels, Lightfoot identified 20 different genomic locations that work in tandem to influence activity levels in mice -- specifically, how far the animals will run. Lightfoot's team is the first to identify these genetic areas, and the first to figure out that they function in concert. The researchers say the areas they found on the mouse genome may have analogs in humans, and the UNC team is now gearing up to conduct a similar study in men and women. "We have put forward a fairly complete genomic map of the areas that are associated with regulation of physical activity," says Lightfoot, whose study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Heredity.

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Comments

[Seven7s]

So that's why the media cant do it's damn job.

[Topfeeder]

Your momma says it is.

[rini]

This is actually an intuitive concept. If you look to ancient Ayurvedic medicine, you'll read about the theory of the tri-dosha.

Basically, there are three body types, or dominant energies. One is Kappha. These people are slow and methodical. They are big, relaxed people who gain weight easily and don't move much. (George Clooney, Oprah)

Pitta are people who are fiery, determined and productive. They tend to be muscular. (Dick Cheney, Mark McGwire)

Vatta are people who are thin and hyper, but tire easily. They fidget and move about and are tend to be creative. They have the least problems with weight control. (Amy WInehouse, Michael Jackson, any rolling stone, Jim Carrey)

[robiform]

Those polar bears look like they're related to the cat who was featured in a post last week. The feline in question was sitting on a sofa, with a televsion remote and a bottle of beer!

Time for a nap. . .zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

[rini]

Loved that.

What is it about anthropomorphic animals that just gets me every time?

[ThatsNotFunny]

I have a lengthy rebuttal to this posting, but screw it, i'll type it out later.

[Smirk]

:0)

[AZAcct]

LOL :D

But seriously...nature vs. nurture...I really believe laziness might be tied to the family in some cases but only because they didn't have good work ethic established by parents...

To link it to genes is kinda ridiculous...

[rini]

You haven't been up on the latest research. Body type, neurotransmitter level, activity level. All these things can be modified by the environment but have a genetic component. They can even modify one gene and produce a more hesitant mouse.

Adopted kids are usually not the same weight or build as their adopted parents, but are more likely to resemble their biological parents, not only in general coloring and build but in tendency towards obesity, which is directly related to lack of movement and fidgeting (of course eating and appetite play are role, some genetics, some environment also).