I'm adopted. I've known my birth mother for 20 years now, but the last 10 of those we have been out of touch. When I met her, I didn't notice that she was terribly overweight. I just noticed she was plump and chalked it up to just getting older.

Recently, a death in the family brought me back to that side of my family (my family tree is more like a family square in the middle). To my surprise she was so tiny! I felt huge. She confided in me a little secret- she had gastric bypass a few years ago. She had been battling her weight for most of her life. She and I carry our weight very compactly and right in the torso. Think of a sausage trying to put on its shoes.

I find it fascinating that two people who've never discussed weight problems before and connected only by biology (on this issue) came to the same conclusion.

So, while my adoptive mom doesn't completely understand (tho she tries), I am comforted that I have a cheerleader in my corner who knows what I'm going to go through (for the most part).

Just an interesting development

Yes,nature versus nurture!

I have two adopted kids and always thought I could nurture them so much that nature wouldnt make much of a difference..lol

Now my teeny tiny little 20 year old is built like a little pear and my tall 11 year old is athletic and muscular.(11 year old is taller than the 20 year old)

Biology plays a bigger role in us than I ever thought.(my mom,grand mother,cousins are all overweight) In fact,As I'm getting older it is my mothers face looking back at me in the mirror...scary sometimes..lol

Good luck with your journey!

O and remember,people who dont struggle with weight does not really understand it at all,they try but its like I dont know what its like to have an olive coloured skin and black hair..I'm blonde and fair with freckles.