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(Best Syndication News) A new study suggests that obese people may get less pleasure from eating food when compared to lean people. Using genetics and brain scans, researchers in the United States discovered that obese subjects responded to a “tasty treat” with less vigor than their leaner counterparts.

Skinny People Get More Satisfaction From Food

Researchers at Yale University, The John B. Pierce Laboratory, the University of Texas and Oregon Research Institute, say that genetics plays a role in obesity. "The study is novel because it is the first to use brain response to food to try to predict future weight gain," said Dana Small, associate professor at Yale and associate fellow, The John B. Pierce Laboratory.

To compensate for their lack of reward, obese people may eat more. "Individual differences in how the brain processes food rewards have been postulated to play a role explaining why some, but not all, people are gaining weight in an environment where calories are plentiful,” Small added.

“Our finding is exciting because it supports this possibility by demonstrating an association between an abnormal response to food and future weight gain - and it shows that this relationship depends upon your genetic make-up."

Genetics Plays A Role In Obesity

A review of twin studies indicated that genetics does indeed play a major role in obesity, but it was unknown what biological factors were important. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the scientists measured the brain’s response to a chocolate milkshake.

The difference between MRI scans of young women in the study showed that those with a higher body mass had a lower responded to the milkshakes. These women were at the higher risk for weight gain.

Which Gene Causes Weight Gain?

The scientists decided to focus on the TaqlA1 gene, which is associated with increased body mass as well as a reduction of dopamine signaling in the dorsal striatum. Previous research found that obese people had fewer dopamine receptors in the brain.

The reduction of dopamine receptors meant that the response to “tasty foods” was blunted. This link was especially pronounced in women, and these women were more likely to gain weight.

The research is published in the Science journal.

By Marsha Quinn
Best Syndication News Health Writer

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