Keep moving! That’s the message for everyone.

However, in this case, the keep moving message is especially important for teenagers who are at risk for obesity can wipe the genetic blackboard pretty clean with one hour’s physical activity each day.

This study was published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

Families can help teenagers by adding physical activities to family time. “Hanging out” does not meet the standard.

U. S. News and World Report

“Does carrying a gene tied to obesity doom a teenager to becoming obese? Not if that teen stays physically active, a new study shows.

“Among genes related to obesity, mutations in the so-called fat mass-and-obesity-associated gene (FTO) appear to be particularly important. In fact, each copy of a mutation in this gene has been tied to an average jump in weight of about 3.3 pounds, the researchers say.

“However, an hour of physical activity a day largely negated the gene’s effect, the new study found.”

…”The report is published in the April issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.”

Source: U.S. News and World Report, March 5, 2010

Citation: Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2010;164(4):328-333.