If one has no choice but to do manual labor all day, it’s hard to gain weight no matter what metabolism they have. That’s why the Mexican Pima don’t gain weight — they (literally) work their asses off. If one lives a typical “American” lifestyle where they are not compelled to burn thousands of calories a day, then genetics is the primary influence of weight. That’s why the American Pima have more issues than other Americans in general — all of the Pima are genetically disposed toward obesity.
You didn’t read all of the report. The diet is at least as much of a factor as the level of physical activity. In the US the Pima are eating highly processed, refined grains and sugars, lots of animal fat, etc…. In Mexico they are eating the same natural diet that they have eaten for many thousands of years. Unrefined grains, lean meats, and vegetables. And of course, their level of activity is consistent with their caloric intake.
Certainly they are genetically predisposed towards obesity when fed an unnatural diet of processed grains, refined sugars, and large amounts of fats with few fresh vegetables or fruits. So are the rest of us.
I don’t expect anything to change though because the food lobby is very powerful in the US. They make a lot of money poisoning the population. And of course the health care industry makes lots of money treating our ailments. Capitalism at work!
