Brain Reward Gene Influences Childhood Food Choices

Weight problems may be all in our heads — or at least start there. Research has suggested that a particular gene in the brain’s reward system contributes to overeating and obesity in adults, and now a new study links the same variant to to childhood obesity and tasty food choices, particularly for girls. These findings, published in the journal, Appetite, shed light on why some children may be predisposed to obesity, and could provide a step towards prevention and treatment. “We found that a variation in a gene that regulates the activity of dopamine … predicted the amount of ‘comfort’ foods — highly palatable foods, such as ice cream, candy or calorie-laden snacks — selected and eaten by the children,” said Dr. Patricia Silveira of McGill University. Click here to read the full article.