Recent research has shown that presence of a specific gene can be linked to urge to eat high-calorie foods. Researchers found that children with a common variation of the gene ate 100 extra calories per meal.

Nearly 63% people carry the key variant of the FTO gene. Research team from the University of Dundee in Scotland carried out eating tests on 100 children aged four to 10. The study subjects were given three meals at school to evaluate their eating behavior. The meal included a mix of fruits and vegetables, ham, cheese, potato chips, chocolate candies and bread rolls.

Researchers found that the children with the gene variant chose foods with more sugar and fat, suggesting they were instinctively drawn to them rather than healthy options. But the gene variant had no impact on the speed at which the body broke down food, or on how active people were. The study revealed that people carrying one copy of the key FTO variant (49% of the population) have a 30% increased risk of obesity, while for those carrying two copies the increased risk is almost 70%.

Professor Colin Palmer, the study author said, "This work demonstrates that this gene does not lead to obesity without overeating and suggests that obesity linked to this gene could be modulated by careful dietary control. What it effectively shows is that the people with the relevant variants on the gene have a trait which may lead them to eat more unhealthy, fattening foods."