Ancient famine-fighting genes can’t explain obesity

Scientists look beyond calorie-hoarding genes to understand widening waistlines

ANCIENT GENES, MODERN MEALS  Research is starting to poke holes in the hypothesis that calorie-hoarding genes are causing the obesity crisis.

Cade Martin

The obesity crisis has given prehistoric dining a stardom not known since Fred Flintstone introduced the Bronto Burger. Last year, “Paleo diet” topped the list of most-Googled weight loss searches, as modern Stone Age dieters sought the advice of bestsellers like The Paleo Solution or The Primal Blueprint, which encourages followers to “honor your primal genes.”