Are people naturally overweight?

I hear that some people are naturally overweight. Is there any truth to that?

In short, yes. There is some evidence that there are a number of genetic (and possibly even viral) associations with obesity.

 

However, environment plays a big role. Unfortunately, this is not something one can always control. If an individual is raised by overweight individual(s), he or she will likely share the same diet. So if someone is raised on fatty, unhealthy food and/or too much food, they may be overweight as a child. And that weight can be tough to lose later in life. In addition, TV, video games, and a sedentary lifestyle are making this worse, as kids used to exercise much more frequently.

Some individuals are more likely to be overweight, just as some individuals are more likely to have a heart attack, have cancer, or have other health issues. However, as with many predispositions for health issues, a good diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle can greatly reduce the risk. Many individuals who have, based on their genes, an increased likelihood for being obese maintain a normal weight through a healthy diet and exercise. 

To read more: http://www.cdc.gov/features/obesity/