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Battling the bulge? Are your ‘genes’ or your ‘jeans’ to blame?

Exercise and healthy eating can go a long way towards controlling your waistline but to what extent are you battling against your genes? Why not take our quiz to find out:

1. Were either or both your parents significantly overweight for most of their lives?
Neither/don't know - 0
Yes, one parent - 1
Yes, both parents - 2

2. Do you have any brothers or sisters who have been significantly overweight for most of their lives?
No - 0
Yes, one - 1
More than one - 2

3. When did you first become overweight?
After 20 - 0
During my teens - 1
Before my teens - 2

4. How difficult do you find it to lose weight?
Not difficult at all - 0
Reasonably difficult - 1
Very difficult - 2

5. Where do you mainly store fat when you put on weight?
On the stomach - 0
On the hips and buttocks - 1
All over - 2

[See also: Six ways to eat yourself happy]

6. Do you have a similar body shape to that of
Neither of your parents? - 0
One of your parents? - 1
Both your parents? - 2

7. How similar are you in weight and shape to your brothers and sister
Not at all or I don't have any - 0
Fairly similar - 1
Very similar - 2

8. How often do people comment on how much you resemble one or both of your parents?
Hardly ever - 0
Sometimes - 1
Often - 2

Scores:
0 - 6
The amount of body fat you store has little or no apparent genetic involvement. If you are putting on weight the chances are that this is largely due to your eating and exercise behaviours.

6 - 11
There is a moderate hereditary component to any weight gain you may be experiencing although though this is no reason to give up or give in. Keep at it!

11 - 16
You appear to be quite significantly influenced by your genes however; simple changes to your eating and exercise habits can still have a huge effect on your shape.

Our genes can influence everything from the type and amount of foods we prefer to eat and how efficiently we burn those calories off through to where and how easily we lay down fat. More recent research has even suggested that they may account for why some people go to the gym and actually enjoy it whilst other opt for the couch.

However, the degree to which we will gain weight and adopt the shape of our parents is still hotly debated and has been estimated anywhere from between 5% to 50%.

According to a recent Swedish study our genes have about a 50% influence on our body weight at birth. However, by the time we are 20 years of age the genetic influence is reduced to nearer 30% with lifestyle factors such as eating and exercise accounting for as much as 70%. So, although our genetic make up may have a much greater impact on how we turn out than we may like to think, it just goes to show, there is still no excuse for hanging up your trainers and heading for the fridge!

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