Some people say that everyone in their family was overweight and they lived into their 80’s or 90’s.  The thinking here is that a high BMI poses no health risk for some people.  Since genetics plays a huge role in determining a lot of things including our metabolism, it’s probably true that some people are predisposed to have a higher BMI, but that doesn’t make it less of a risk factor.  Your risk for illnesses comes from an interplay of many risk factors.  So someone may have favorable risks because they are genetically predisposed to having lower blood pressure and cholesterol, but they have a family tendency of being overweight or obese.   Compared to someone with high blood pressure and high cholesterol who is also overweight, they will have a lower risk of heart disease.  However, if they lower their BMI, they will have an even lower risk.

I have a family history of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but that doesn’t mean they are not risk factors for a heart attack or stroke for me.  I need to work on my lifestyle through making healthier food choices and exercising regularly to counteract these risk factors.  The same goes for someone who has a tendency to have a high BMI.  They have to work harder than someone whose genetics have a higher metabolism.

Insights For Health Bottom Line:  Though favorable genetics as shown in your family’s health history may lessen the impact of a high BMI, your risks will be even lower if you maintain a more normal BMI.

For Your Health – Dr. Bob