Why Some People With Obesity Stay Healthy: Study Finds Clues in Their Genes

Not all people with obesity develop serious health problems like diabetes or heart disease — and a new study suggests  genes may be the reason why .

 An international team of scientists, led by the  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai  and the  University of Copenhagen , studied genetic data from over  450,000 people . They discovered changes in  205 regions of the genome  that were linked to  higher body fat , but also  better overall metabolic health .

 Using this information, researchers created a  genetic risk score . People with  higher scores  were more likely to become obese — but they were  less likely to develop health issues  such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease.

 The reason? In these people,  fat cells behave differently , storing fat in a way that’s less harmful to the body.

 Interestingly, these protective genetic traits could already be seen in  children . Kids with these variants were more likely to gain weight but  did not show early signs  of common obesity-related illnesses.

  “Obesity isn’t just one condition — it includes different types, each with its own risks,” said  Nathalie Chami , one of the lead researchers. “Understanding these genetic differences can help us treat and prevent obesity-related problems in a smarter way.”

The study also identified  eight different subtypes of obesity , each linked to specific health risks.

“This could help doctors know which patients are at higher risk and create new treatments that copy the protective effects seen in some people,” said Dr. Chami.

However, experts stress that this doesn’t mean  obesity is safe . Most people with obesity still face health risks, and lifestyle choices  like healthy eating and exercise remain very important.

The study used data from the  UK Biobank , which includes people of European ancestry. Researchers plan to expand their work to include  more diverse populations  in the future.

This research could lead to  more personalized healthcare , better treatments, and even  early prevention strategies — starting from childhood .