Do You Have Fat DNA? Fight it with Liposuction or Dr Puah's Weight Loss Programme

Updated on May 14, 2026

We’d like to say “fat chance”, but if your parents are packing a few extra pounds, the odds are good that your double helix can predispose you to a double chin.

Research in the International Journal of Obesity estimates that around 79 per cent of your BMI is determined by your DNA, with environmental factors making up the rest ^[1].

But don't panic.

According to Harvard University research, if you ensure at least 25% of your calories come from protein, you may reduce the effects of certain obesity-related genes ^[2].

Plus, a study from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the US found that men who ran 3 to 6km a day reduced the influence of genetics on their BMI ^[3].

• 3–6 km/day: The genetic contribution to male runners' BMI was reduced by 29%.
• 6–9 km/day: The genetic contribution was reduced by 39%.
• ≥9 km/day: The genetic contribution was reduced by 48%

Embark on a doctor-led & evidence-based Weight Loss journey

As little as a 5% reduction in body weight can achieve clinically significant improvements in metabolic health markers, while decreasing health risks and disease comorbidities ^[4].

"The body has a 'set point' for weight; when weight is lost, physiological responses can make further weight loss more challenging, and weight gain can occur as a natural compensatory response. Genetics, age, hormonal changes, and lifestyle play significant roles in weight gain and loss," shares Dr Ivan Puah, an experienced doctor treating fat loss and aiding patients in their weight loss goals.

Dr Puah's Weight Loss & Management programme in Singapore is a science-backed programme designed to help individuals lose weight safely and successfully.

Using multiple strategies to craft a personalised plan for each patient, every advice is backed by evidence-based.

Diet change

Low-calorie diets are often recommended; sometimes, very low-calorie diets may be necessary for a short time.

Diets that focus on specific macronutrients, such as the ketogenic or high-protein diets, might also be an option, but their long-term safety and effectiveness aren't fully established.

When you eat can matter for weight management; having a bigger breakfast and fasting overnight may help prevent obesity ^[5].

Exercise & Physical Activity

Physical activity is important for managing weight, whether to prevent weight gain, lose weight, or maintain weight loss.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommended that overweight and obese adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week for health benefits ^[6].

For long-term weight loss, they suggested 200-300 minutes per week. Recent studies support these recommendations and suggest that even more activity may be needed to prevent regaining lost weight ^[7].

GLP-1 Medications Aid

When combined with GLP-1 medications, exercise, and diet change strategies, the combination treatment reduced it by 0.48, both compared to placebo and with significant results.

The weight loss from the diet reduced the severity of Metabolic Syndrome, a cluster of conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess waist fat, and abnormal cholesterol, by 0.48 points ^[8].

Abdominal fat percentage dropped by 2.6 points in the exercise group, 2.8 points in the GLP-1 medications group, and 6.1 points in the combination group ^[8]!

Modern Liposuction with the MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique

Modern Liposuction with the MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique can help you remove stubborn, unwanted fat from these trouble zones.

Dr Ivan Puah's MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique is a multi-dimensional contouring approach that works on each individual's unique body shape, fat anatomy, fat distribution and skin laxity.

Given that surgical scarring is a concern for patients, Dr Ivan Puah will keep incision scars to a minimum during liposuction. He strategically creates incisions to provide efficient access to the three fat layers.

This surgical technique removes fat thoroughly and encourages better skin retraction, which traditional liposuction fails to deliver.

Results from Modern Liposuction with MDC-Sculpt®️ Lipo technique are natural and well-shaped.

The versatility of this approach enables Dr Ivan Puah to perform comprehensive 360-degree fat removal and sculpting in the trouble zones, such as the abdomen and waist, for optimal results.

If you have tried various methods to get rid of stubborn body fat but are not achieving the results you yearn for, contact us now.

Reference

1. McPherson R. Genetic contributors to obesity. Can J Cardiol. 2007 Aug;23 Suppl A(Suppl A):23A-27A. doi: 10.1016/s0828-282x(07)71002-4. PMID: 17668084; PMCID: PMC2787002.
2. Merritt DC, Jamnik J, El-Sohemy A. FTO genotype, dietary protein intake, and body weight in a multiethnic population of young adults: a cross-sectional study. Genes Nutr. 2018 Feb 20;13:4. doi: 10.1186/s12263-018-0593-7. PMID: 29484031; PMCID: PMC5819260.
3. Williams PT. Attenuating effect of vigorous physical activity on the risk for inherited obesity: a study of 47,691 runners. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e31436. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031436. Epub 2012 Feb 23. PMID: 22384023; PMCID: PMC3285646.
4. Magkos F, et al. Effects of moderate and subsequent progressive weight loss on metabolic function and adipose tissue biology in humans with obesity. Cell Metab. 2016;23(4):591–601. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.02.005.
5. Kim JY. Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2021 Mar 30;30(1):20-31. doi: 10.7570/jomes20065. PMID: 33107442; PMCID: PMC8017325.
6. Donnelly JE, Blair SN, Jakicic JM, Manore MM, Rankin JW, Smith BK; American College of Sports Medicine. American College of Sports Medicine Position Stand. Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Feb;41(2):459-71. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181949333. Erratum in: Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Jul;41(7):1532. PMID: 19127177.
7. Donnelly, J. E., Blair, S. N., Jakicic, J. M., Manore, M. M., Rankin, J. W., & Smith, B. K. (2009). Appropriate physical activity intervention strategies for weight loss and prevention of weight regain for adults. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 41(2), 459-471.
8. Sandsdal, R. M., Juhl, C. R., Jensen, S. B., Lundgren, J. R., Janus, C., Blond, M. B., ... & Torekov, S. S. (2023). Combination of exercise and GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment reduces severity of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial. Cardiovascular diabetology, 22(1), 41.