A study of more than 1,000 pigs has revealed gene variants likely to be linked to overeating and obesity in humans.
The research, by Danish scientists, confirmed that genetics has a powerful influence on eating behaviour as well as how likely a person is to put on weight.
Professor Haja Kadarmideen, of the University of Copenhagen, who led the work, said that people have “genetic barcodes” that predict whether they are likely to eat compulsively or be more attracted to fatty foods.
“Our research indicates that eating behaviours runs in families,” he said. “If a mother or father or both