Fat People Really Are Jolly: Being Chubs Just Might Protect You From Depression

Turns out the very same gene that’s giving you girth might also be making you jolly. Santa Claus is all, “Duh, motherfuckers.”

The latest “fat makes you sad no wait fat makes you happy no wait” news comes from researchers at McMaster University, who “have uncovered evidence that the gene FTO – the major genetic contributor to obesity – is associated with an eight per cent reduction in the risk of depression. In other words, it’s not just an obesity gene but a ‘happy gene’ as well.”

So, what makes us fat, also makes us happy — and they’re not talking about Snickers and pumpkin cheesecake, either. It’s interesting because the researchers started with the hypothesis that obesity genes may be linked to depression and well, nope, wrong. The FTO gene is inside larger bodies being fat and awesome, dancing to Michael Jackson and eating sticks of butter, living the dream.

Meyre said the fact the obesity gene’s same protective trend on depression was found in four different studies supports their conclusion. It is the “first evidence” that an FTO obesity gene is associated with protection against major depression, independent of its effect on body mass index, he said.

OK, cool. Since everyone is all depressed all the time, maybe we should start injecting them with this FTO gene? Then we can all head to Fatlandia to discuss world peace, mashed potatoes (the food and the dance), and if people really like us for us or just for our fat. You’ll never really know, you know?

Of course, there’s the standard disclaimers that the eight per cent reduction is “modest” and “won’t make a big difference in the day-to-day care of patients,” but also that it’s an important discovery as depression affects a lot of people.

‘Obese but happy gene’ challenges the common perception of link between depression and obesity [Eureka News]