Test For Obesity Gene Relieves Emotional Stress Attached To Weight Control

Scientists have developed a test that tells whether a person is genetically susceptible to weight gain and obesity and, though the test is not yet commercially available, researchers wanted to know if knowing the test results might discourage people. Would knowing the results of such testing cause a feeling among overweight people that obesity was their destiny and nothing could be done about it? British researchers tested 18 men and women of all weights and not only found no negative reactions, participants who had struggled with their weight said that the results removed some of the emotional stress attached to weight control and relieved some of the stigma and self-blame.