Being born in Asia during ancient times is really tough.
Asia is home to numerous countries with vastly different climates, and therefore suffers from severe natural disasters such as:
- Floods
- Droughts
- Volcanic eruptions
- Earthquakes, and many more
These natural disasters do not just result in loss of human life, but also in massive destruction of food crops and livestock, leading to widespread famine.
Imagine you are a peasant farmer living in ancient China.
You work day and night on your farm, hoping the harvest will be good that year.
Unfortunately, a terrible drought hit. Your crops are all wiped out, and you begin to starve.
You struggled to survive with whatever food you could scavenge. Your body adapted to the starvation, and worked its best to keep you alive.
When the drought ended, you started farming again.
Eventually you got married, and even had children.
The genes that helped you survive the famine have been passed down to your offspring.
This is Natural Selection.
Why Do Asians Gain Weight?
Indians have the highest percentage of body fat, while Chinese have the lowest.
Because famine shaped our genomes. The traits that kept our ancestors alive through hunger are the traits that store fat efficiently now, which is why Asians carry more visceral fat at a lower BMI.
Unless you are descended from Asian royalty or nobility, chances are your ancestors used to live in conditions prone to famine and poverty.
To survive such harsh situations, your humble forefathers have developed a unique survival strategy to combat food scarcity through their genes that increase their potential to:
- Absorb more calories from food
- Convert these calories into stored fats
- Store fats around organs for faster consumption
These fat reserves are then consumed by their bodies during times of famine to keep them alive.
However, while these genes may be a boon to your ancestors in their harsh reality, they have become a bane to their descendants (including me!) in the modern era of abundant, easily accessible food.
When “Fat-Loving” Genes Backfire
Asians exhibit greater waist circumference and visceral fat deposits than Caucasians of the same age group.
Have you ever seen a fat Elf?
No?
Neither have I. Asians are kind of like the Elves of the modern world.
Most Asians do not really get fat. We may be plump or even chubby, but obese?
Not so common.
However, even if Asians might appear slimmer in build compared to our Caucasian counterparts (we do not exhibit classic signs such as a very large waistline), the danger lies within.
This internal fat, known as visceral fat, poses significant health risk.
Visceral fat that surrounds vital organs has been linked to various obesity-related metabolic diseases, including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers.
Termed the Asian Obesity Paradox, Asians are shown to have higher rate of adverse health events even at lower BMI.
Furthermore, in a modern society where food is aplenty, with more processed westernised diets that have higher levels of sugar and fat, our genetic legacy of efficient food absorption and fat storage is creating a major risk factor towards your long-term health.
Conclusion
Regardless of your genes, your health (and waistline) is a direct result of your diet.
While your ancestors were responsible for giving you fat-loving genes, you cannot really blame them.
After all, if they did not survive to pass down these traits, you would not exist either.
It is true that Asians have higher metabolic risks compared to other races, and any individual can possess genes that cause them to overeat and gain weight regardless of race or heritage.
Our destiny is a direct result of our choices, and with sufficient intention, we can even control our genes!
When you are navigating the challenges of weight management, unlocking your relationship with your genes may be a good first step. If you are interested, you can read my article on the 5 compelling reasons to consider a DNA test.
Lastly, I do encourage you to embrace a holistic approach to health, rooted in balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mindfulness. If you can accomplish that, you can truly rewrite the narrative of your genetic legacy and pave the way for a healthier (and fitter) future!
Sources
- Ethnic differences in body fat distribution among Asian pre-pubertal children (2011)
- Genetic and environmental factors contributing to visceral adiposity in Asian populations (2020)
- Asian obesity paradox: implications for healthcare management approaches (2021)
Calorie absorption, fat metabolism and lean muscle are read in the Bio-Profile, and the five traits behind weight gain are pulled apart in 5 Ways Your Genes Make You Overeat.
