They found the gene was only linked to lower levels of fat under the skin, called subcutaneous fat, but not to the more harmful fat that surrounds the organs, called visceral fat.

IRS1 and a few other so-called "fat genes" have never been isolated in visceral fat deposits. It's probably an evolutionary throwback, as subQ is more common in Norwegian cultures (and other colder-climate cultures). SubQ fat deposits originally formed to keep the body warm.

Anyway, this study did not address the fact that most "born skinny" people tend to have horrible diets because, they believe, they can. They 'can' from a physical point of view, but just as an athlete can consume mounds of starch and sugar, it does not mean the body can escape the detrimental effects of both. Lower-carb diets have been shown to 'turn off' (not literally of course) this gene, and this study shed some light on why. Interesting stuff.

Oh, btw, if anyone is interested: DEXA scans can measure visceral fat as well as subQ. Highly recommended, as that visceral stuff will kill ya.

Everyone has IRS-1.  Is it a mutant variant of IRS-1, or is it an aberrant expression pattern?  Not explained to where I can make sense of it.  And I'm not "the general public".

Hey look here comes another diet scam..Here take a pill it will take the "Lean" out of your "JEANS"(Gene)..If you hurry and order we will throw in another 30 days supplies..It can be all yours for $29.99. You can see where this bs going to lead..But take note the pill might cause thyroid problems,liver disease,Vomiting,head ache,etc etc....lol

There's the catch. Lean people are healthier if you eliminate cigarette smokers from the study sample. Cigarette smokers tend to be leaner than non smokers but less healthy.

Wait, last article said it was fat people who had heart disease and type 2 diabetes? Fat is made out to be the cause of all the health problem. Now lean people are at risk also? No, tell me it is not so.