A new study from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has discovered a way for teens to beat the common obesity-related gene, FTO: one hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day.

The study, which was published in the April issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, monitored the physical activity levels of teens who had the FTO gene variant, making them predisposed to obesity. For the teens who exercised an hour or more daily, their waist measurements, body mass index scores and body fat were comparable to teens with regular genes. The teens with the gene variant had more body fat, bigger waists and higher BMI scores if they got less than an hour of exercise daily. The results were similar for boys and girls.

Current U.S. guidelines are consistent with this study's findings, that an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise every day is key to staying healthy.

Check out HealthTeacher's K-12 lesson plans on physical activity.

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