The Royal Institution
If you eat more calories than you burn, you will put on weight, but what is it in our genetics that makes some people eat more than others?
Buy Giles’ book “Gene Eating: The Story of Human Appetite” now – https://geni.us/jnNxw0p
It is clear that the cause of obesity is a result of eating more than you burn. It is physics. What is more complex to answer is why some people eat more than others? Differences in our genetic make-up mean some of us are slightly more hungry all the time and so eat more than others. Giles Yeo explores how, in contrast to the prevailing view, obesity is not a choice. People who are obese are not bad or lazy; rather, they are fighting their biology.
Watch the Q&A: https://youtu.be/g5R7G_fU6cU
Dr Giles Yeo is a geneticist with over 20 years’ experience dedicated to researching the genetics of obesity. He obtained his PhD from the University of Cambridge and assisted the ground-breaking research that uncovered key pathways in how the brain controls food intake.
His current research focuses on understanding how these pathways differ from person to person, and the influence of genetics in our relationship with food and eating habits. He is based at MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, where he is Principal Research Associate, and is a fellow and graduate tutor at Wolfson College.
This talk and Q&A was filmed in the Ri on 1 November 2019.
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The brilliant Giles Yeo came to the Ri to give the 2019 JSB Haldane lecture on the role of genetics in obesity and we couldn't be more pleased to host both him and the Genetics Society.
I wonder if the "desert stomache" is the reason that you, half way into a pizza, will stop eating the crust and only the delicious center 🍕🍕
absolutely brilliant presenter.
If you drive your car and you see a person 200m ahead walk into your lane and you're predisposed to hit him in about 10 seconds. If you don't take action to stop or turn, is it not a choice taken if you eventually run him over?
"Is obesity a choice" I would say yes and no. I don't think there are many, if any, who wake up one day and say "I want to be obese" though people do actively choose not to loose weight. Source? I am Obese and lazy.
Rap god
"they are fighting their Biology"
Those who are, are part of the solution.
yo wtf is he saying
Self control is hard. I wish I could eat cookies every day. It is some kind of miracle that I keep myself from doing it. But I feel like I could lose it at any moment. God help us.
I think blame is only useful in court.
Oh my God I loooong for the cookie. 🙁 Oh Jeeeeeesus.
Obesity will happen if you have been prescribed anti depressants or anti anxiety medications.
Moderately disappointed by the lack of any mention of epi- genetic contributors to eating behaviour, metabolism, or resulting weight.
Did he write the Navy dive tables on SCUBA decompression?
Everyone got fat at the same time. How can that be genetic?
The key point need to be addressed is HOW MUCH of our eating decision is out of our control? "Is Obesity a choice" is not a binary question. Failing to address that doesn't help much at all.
Weird because I like broccoli and don't taste much (if any) bitterness in it but Brussel sprouts are one of the few "foods" I REALLY don't like because they taste like a deflated rubber birthday balloon to me. They are so bitter that I still don't really believe that they are actually even food. I should also mention that my parents both (claim that) they like them.
This is so dumb. It's liek askign is being bald a choise :S
The answer to the question is yes. However, we must define the choice that causes the problem. Every time you choose to purchase overly palatable processed foods, you're implicitly choosing to become overweight. The choice is not to be fat per se but rather to choose a dietary pattern which has a higher probability of leading to obesity.
Everybody tries to ignore the conservation of energy. Thermodynamics works to eliminate calories and weight, it's on your side.
Scarcity, is on your side if you are wise.
Historically, obesity was rare because of scarcity. Plus parasites, poor quality food, chronic disability, recurrent infections, no labor saving devices, etc.
Great talk
People say that skinny people are only skinny because of will power, but I'm naturally skinny and have to use will power to put on and maintain weight. I have to force feed myself. It makes perfect sense to me that obese people have the opposite problem.
Okay wait, he makes the point that what morality do flies have? that it's biological right? But that's the whole point isn't it? We as humans are not just subject to our basest desires. We have the ability to reason and modify our behaviour away from what our instincts push us towards. Aggression is biologically linked, but violence is still a choice. Sex drive is biologically linked, but sexual assault is still a choice, which is why criminals who commit those act desreve punishment. People may be born with stronger urges that they have to suppress in order to behave like they are rational, and yes, there are corner cases where people are not able to do those things, but in the vast majority of the population it's a difference in degree not a difference in kind. Environment is the interaction for the behavior is what still allows someone to prevent themselves from gaining weight, it is also what allows someone to lose weight. Will power and self control are skills that are trainable and unavailable to the flies in that scenario, as they cannot appraise their weight and body in any pathway other than the one that's biologically hardwired.
great science presenter
@The Royal Institution
Thank You for another great video.
And think what You will about Dr.Yeo's message (I personally do believe it), he really is a marvelous presenter and Story Teller. If anything he might even be a tad "too good" making people enjoy his presentation so much that the message takes the "back seat"…
Anyway thanks again for all Your great videos.
Best regards
Hesitates to use the word "period" or "menstruation"
Liberally gestures when saying "plop a baby out into the Serengeti"
skip to 53:30. The rest is filler
still deleting comments, i see…
Lol can you make fruit flies drunk?
Rubbish
i don't have any issue whatsoever with people trying to figure out why people eat more calories than they need. that's a reasonable approach and something we need to figure out. i have an issue with people claiming that calories are not the direct cause of their weight gain, instead looking for the "conditions" and "metabolism" as excuses that put weight beyond their control.
based on my personal experience of how easy it is to ignore body cues and eat way more i'm going to suggest that the psychological reasons for overeating are way more important than genetic.
Although there is nothing wrong with being fat, I believe that in most cases (not all), personal priorities have more impact on your weight than your genetics.
I found it very hard to follow his public speaking style, only last 3 minutes 🙁
Can people be trained to use their well-functioning metabolic sensing systems to counteract any "out of norm" systems? (I don't mean those with full deletions or anything.) I'm thinking of various bio-feedback-like training to sense feelings of weight gain, satiety, and "reached day's needs" coupled with non-counterproductive rewards systems. In short, can we short-circuit the malfunctioning circuits somewhat and rely on others more?
Obesity IS a choice, a Ketogenic Diet will allow anyone lose weight, without being hungry. Without the cravings for sugar, it will prevent diabeties and reduce metabolic syndrome. You will not long for the cookie after the first week. Eat meat, cream, fatty foods, veg, just no carbs. I lost 40kg in 18months another 15 to go.
The entire food message since the 1950’s for low fat has been completely wrong, leading to diabeties and heart disease which of course need drugs to control. There is no incentive to allow people to become healthy.
Any valid science that bursts the balloon of the disgustingly pompous "it's all your fault" crowd is welcome and long overdue. A fix would be even better, obviously, but until we get one – every little bit helps.
it is a choice. but it is not your choice.
34:32 – "He doesn't love you, he is hungry." xD
I just can't force myself to listen to another hour long video on obesity when I've weighed 120 all my adult life. I get in my car in the morning with a huge green smoothie and a huge bag of raw things such as radishes, shrimp, almonds and cauliflower …. The obese person doesn't. Do the math.
Is it your choice or is it your genes? That's like asking would you like aubergine or eggplant?
Being" a choice" and being "because of genes" really are the same thing. You are your body and your genes, they are you, it's all you. "Your genes make you do it" is same as "you make you do it." It's you, your choice, you are your genes. Your genes choosing is the same as you choosing.
wow! I'm just wondering how much money "scientists" like this one wasted on such complete garbage! It is exactly the same gene theory nonsense that for years been pushed by cancer "researchers". His theory has more holes in it than ten pounds of Swiss. All they care is that it sells well and it feeds their families. Pathetic.
No.
where is the consumption of calories by intestinal flora in the energy balance?
"I had to come in looking smart, at least" – Best and honest use of this knowledge: "First impression is the last impression"
Frozen fish fingers taste good. I've eaten them on multiple occasions when I was a kid. They are partially processed, flavored and have a layer of bread/flour. Saw them up with a knife and avoid washing the frying pan and walls. But yeah cooked vegetables become palatable after a period of fasting.
Dont tell Ricky Gervais or we might lose one of his great joke themes. I remember reading that lack of sleep upsets the leptin levels or brain receptors for it and you eat more if you aint getting a good nights sleep.
what is a choice in the face of such complexity most of which is beyond awareness or control ?
Phenomenal