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Cited by 361Evolution and Genetic DynamicsObesity, Physical Activity, DietGenetic Associations and Epidemiology

Thrifty genes for obesity, an attractive but flawed idea, and an alternative perspective: the ‘drifty gene’ hypothesis

Speakman, J R·2008·International Journal of Obesity
DOI 10.1038/ijo.2008.161
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Abstract

Almost 50 years ago Neel proposed a hypothesis to explain the prevalence of obesity and diabetes in modern society--the 'thrifty gene' hypothesis. The fundamental basis of the hypothesis was that, in our early evolutionary history, genes, that promoted efficient fat deposition would have been advantageous because they allowed their holders to survive at periods of famine. In modern society, such genes are disadvantageous because they promote fat deposition in preparation for a famine that never comes, and the result is widespread obesity and diabetes. In recent years I, and others, have questioned some of the fundamental assumptions of this hypothesis--particularly focusing on whether differential survival of lean against obese in famines provides sufficient selective pressure for the spread of so-called 'thrifty genes'. These arguments have been criticized because famines not only affect survival but also fecundity, and obese people would be expected to sustain fecundity longer in the face of food shortages. In this paper, I show that the reduced fecundity argument is flawed because famines are almost universally followed by periods of enhanced fecundity, which offsets the decline observed during the famine itself. The net effect of famines on fecundity is consequently insufficient to rescue the thrifty gene idea. Elsewhere, I have suggested an alternative scenario that subsections of the population have a genetic predisposition to obesity due to an absence of selection, combined with genetic drift. The scenario presented earlier was based on evidence from prehistory concerning the release of our ancestors from heavy predation pressure around 2 million years ago. I suggest here that this is one of a number of potential scenarios based on random genetic drift that may explain the specific aetiology of the obesity epidemic. Together, these alternatives, based on central notion that genetic drift rather than positive selection was a dominant factor, may be called the 'drifty gene' hypothesis.

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  • Strong attraction to food and food cues, slow satiety mechanisms, and high metabolic efficiency now make it difficult to resist an abundance of food.

    “Biological traits like strong attraction to food and food cues, slow satiety mechanisms, and high metabolic efficiency, advantageous for survival in a scarce environment, seem now to be our worst enemies when it comes to resisting an abundance of food”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [169]

  • The current obesity epidemic is best explained as a mismatch between the modern environment/lifestyle and biological response patterns that evolved in a scarce environment.

    “the current obesity epidemic is best explained as a mismatch between the modern environment/lifestyle and biological response patterns that evolved in a scarce environment.”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [169]

  • Strong attraction to food and food cues, slow satiety mechanisms, and high metabolic efficiency were advantageous for survival in a scarce environment.

    “Biological traits like strong attraction to food and food cues, slow satiety mechanisms, and high metabolic efficiency, advantageous for survival in a scarce environment, seem now to be our worst enemies when it comes to resisting an abundance of food”

    From Food reward, hyperphagia, and obesity (2011) · cites this paper as [169]

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Authors
Speakman, J. R.
Affiliations
University of Aberdeen (GB)
Corresponding author
Speakman, J R
ORCID
Speakman, J R
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2008-10-14
Volume
32
Issue
11
Pages
1611-1617
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
DOI
10.1038/ijo.2008.161
OpenAlex
W2110693856
Cited by
361
References
150
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 54 · 2018: 22 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 25 · 2014: 27 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 22
FWCI
10.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Keywords
thrifty gene hypothesis, obesity, diabetes mellitus, famine, fecundity, genetic drift, positive selection, predation pressure, human evolution
MeSH terms
Body Composition, Fertility, Humans, Obesity, Selection, Genetic, Starvation, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genetic Drift, Adiposity

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