Ben Kazie MD

Increasingly it seems, we are learning the human body is a more marvelously complex entity than we imagined. We are also learning that with as much as we know, there is still far more to learn.  This study no doubt explains why despite years of physical education in schools, individuals “self regulate” their physical activities in quite unique ways.  Thus, is is likely that just as with so many genetically determined factors, levels of activity may well be genetically “pre-programmed” into us.  Changing that programming is likely not possible, though conscious efforts to alter behavior can also likely overcome the body’s pre-set preferences.   With a national epidemic of obesity, this study should not be used as an excuse to explain why we cannot exercise or be more active.  Being sedentary may be natural for many, but in adult life it becomes a choice, regardless of genetics . . . ben kazie md

Body may regulate physical activity similar to the way it regulates other factors
According to a study presented at an obesity conference, children who went to schools with more time devoted to physical activity had no difference in total activity levels compared with their peers who went to schools with fewer hours dedicated to physical education. The study analyzed data on 206 children ages 7-11 from 3 schools that offered very different amounts of physical education — average of 9.2, 2.4, and 1.7 hours/week, respectively. During waking hours, the youngsters wore accelerometers to measure total daily physical activity for a period of one week during each of four consecutive school terms. Analysis revealed no significant differences in total weekly physical activity between the children in the three schools, a finding that led the authors to conclude that the body may regulate physical activity similar to the way it regulates other factors, such as appetite.

Physical Activity May Be Driven by Biological Regulator - http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/ExerciseFitness/14105

Study finds children’s activity levels not influenced by more PE time in school - http://www.easoobesity.org/eco2009/documents/SchoolPErelease_000.pdf

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