A gene variation may play a significant role in the control of food intake and food choices, suggesting a preference for energy-dense foods such as French fries or potato chips. That would explain why some children are indulging themselves in food and become obese, researchers at the University of Dundee, Scotland said.

Their study is published in today’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. It involved 2,726 Scottish children, ages 4 to 10.

The gene, called FTO, appears to encourage carriers to shun healthy options like fruit and vegetables and choose high calorie foods containing sugar and fat. Children with this gene have the tendency to eat an extra of 100 calories each meal, thus putting on weight and later on becoming overweight or even obese.

There is still some good news in this research, Colin Palmer, leader of the study at the University of Dundee in Scotland said. To be more specific, he pointed out that not all children with the FTO gene will definitely be overweight. They might be inclined to eat more high-calorie foods but still have the option if they will give in to the urge or not. “This gene will not make you overweight if you do not overeat,” Palmer said.

Palmer was part of the large group of scientists, which first discovered the FTO obesity gene in 2007. They found that individuals carrying one copy of the variant had a 30 percent increased risk of obesity, while those carrying two copies of the variant had almost a 70 percent increased risk of obesity.

After confirming the link between obesity and the FTO gene in all children involved in the study, the researchers analyzed 97 of the children by taking a number of measurements, including body fat and metabolic rate. These children were given three meals at school to evaluate their eating behavior. The meal included a mix of fruits and vegetables, ham, cheese, potato chips and chocolate candies and bread rolls.

The researchers found that children with the gene variation showed no difference in metabolic rates, levels of physical activity or the amount of food eaten. The only thing, which differentiates them from those without the gene variation was the fact they were eating much richer foods, Palmer said.

The findings come at the time when the US is dealing with growing obesity in teenagers and young children and much progress hasn’t been made so far. It’s hard to convince a child that hamburgers and chips are harmful when they are bombarded daily with ads that depict junk food as the epitome of happiness, showing slim, ecstatic teenagers sinking their pearly-white teeth into a juicy hamburger, accompanied by the ever-present French fries and soda. However, parents should do everything in their power to prevent kids from eating fast food meals on regular basis. This does not mean they should get these meals out of their menus for good, but they should encourage healthy habits such as eating at home with the family, prepare meals together and exercise as much as possible.