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Researchers Identify the Top Foods That Are Making Us Fat

A new report from Harvard researchers has found the top foods that are making us fat, and the findings are not at all surprising.

A new report from Harvard researchers has found the top foods that are making us fat, and the findings are not at all surprising.

The extensive study used data for over 120,000 healthy men and women from previous studies to track their diet every four years from 1986 to 2006 to see how their lifestyle and what they ate affected their weight. The researchers found that within each period the average weight gain was a little over three pounds — which added up to a 17-pound total weight gain over the 20-year period.

What caused that weight gain? Topping the list of culprits are meat, sweetened drinks, fried foods, and any form of potatoes. The biggest cause of weight gain was eating french fries; every extra serving of fries eaten in a day was linked to a gain of more than three pounds, while eating an extra serving of potato chips led to 1.69 pounds. Other diet busters included refined grains (like white rice and white bread) and butter.

But the news wasn't all bad; the study also identified the foods that helped prevent weight gain. Read on for the list of foods that cause and prevent weight gain.

healthy living

Your Desire For French Fries Could Be in Your Genes

Some people (OK, a lot of people) are drawn to fattening foods.

Some people (OK, a lot of people) are drawn to fattening foods. They can't resist brownie sundaes, buttery scones, and french fries. Now it seems a lack of willpower may not be the only culprit: New research shows it could be because of your genes.

A specific gene, named FTO, isn't necessarily a gene that causes obesity. But it does give those who have the gene a stronger tendency to eat richer, fattening foods, which in turn can make them overeat. In a study involving 2,700 children, on average the children with the gene variant ate 100 calories more than those without the gene. That translates to gradual weight gain over time and can lead to obesity.

There could turn out to be many genes associated with an increased risk for obesity, so more research needs to be conducted for sure. But someday, people may be blaming their weight gain on their genes. "What? That chocolate cake? My FTO gene made me do it."

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