Research
Energy balance
Genetic factors account for specific portions of BMI variability through three measurable metabolic traits: metabolic rate (12%), respiratory quotient/fat oxidation (5%), and spontaneous physical activity (10%), leaving 40% attributable to food intake regulation.
Your body burns calories differently based on genetics. Some people burn less at rest (metabolic rate), oxidize less fat (high RQ), or move less unconsciously (low NEAT). Understanding this helps explain why some people gain weight easily despite similar calorie intake to others.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
From prospective studies in Pima Indians we can ascribe 12 % of the variability in BMI to metabolic rate, 5 % to fat oxidation, and another probable 10 % to the level of spontaneous physical activity. These data indicate that at least 40 % of the variability in BMI is related to genetic factors involved in the regulation of food intake and/or volitional activity.
Why this rating
Based on prospective studies in Pima Indians using respiratory chambers and doubly labelled water, providing robust metabolic data.
Source
Energy balance and weight regulation: genetics versus environment
Éric Ravussin et al. · British Journal Of Nutrition · 2000
DOI 10.1017/s0007114500000908
narrative_reviewCited 163×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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