Active Monkeys

Here's an article that points out many obvious truths, but it's still worth a read.  Scientists looked at monkeys and studied both their energy intake and energy expenditure.  Monekys that were the most active stayed lean - no matter how much they ate.  The sedentary monkeys, predictably, gained weight.

The scientists also put the sedentary monkeys on a diet, but it didn't cause them to lose weight.  This goes along with what I believe, that activity is the primary regulator of body weight and that dieting is ineffective for losing weight.

One curious part had to do with the monkeys' intrinsic desire for activity.  It was hypothesized that the active monkeys were that way due to their environment.  Yet when the active monkeys were moved inside with less room to move, they still stayed active.  The reverse was true for the sedentary monkeys: when they were given an environment more conducive for exercise, they didn't end up being more active. 

This points to a genetic disposition towards desired activity levels.  It wouldn't surprise me if the results were the same for active and sedentary humans.  Perhaps those with a sedentary disposition need to realize this genetic influence and push themselves to greater activity levels.