Research says that there is no need to blame the fat gene for being fat. Having the fat gene does nothing but increase chances of being overweight or obese, having a larger waist circumference and a higher body mass index (BMI).

Analysis of 45 studies on 218,166 individuals about the effects of physical activity on being a victim of the fat gene (FTO) revealed that indulging in some physical activity reduced obesity risk by an average of 27%.

The authors of the study, released in the journal PLoS, wrote, "Our findings are highly relevant for public health. They emphasize that [physical activity] is a particularly effective way of controlling body weight in individuals with a genetic predisposition towards obesity.” this observation goes against the conventional belief that genes do not change.

Experts say that trying to screen for the obesity gene would be useless. Instead the fight against obesity should centre on banning junk food advertising. Also other measures like taxing high calorie foods and banning sugary drinks in school tuck shops could be considered in the battle against the bulge.

The only cure to obesity is change in lifestyle and physical activity which is prescribed regardless of the presence of the gene.

Critics of fat gene screening also say that identification of the gene in individuals would stigmatize them. People will start looking at obesity as a problem that individuals have to deal with instead of a problem that needs to be addressed at a societal level.

They also say that genetic screening for obesity has limited predictive power. It is unlikely to help take therapeutic decisions and does not add to body mass index (BMI) as predictor of disease. It may also turn the focus away from the societal changes that most experts think are needed to reduce the prevalence of obesity.