Can a love for fatty foods be genetic? Yes, according to a new study

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have found evidence that a preference for fatty foods can be tied to genetics. The study, which looked at 317 African-American males and females due to their ethnic group’s increased instance of obesity, found that people with certain forms of the CD36 gene may like high-fat foods more than people who have other forms of that particular gene. The researchers asked those participating in the study about how they perceived and liked or disliked certain foods. "It is possible that the CD36 gene is associated with fat intake and, therefore, obesity through a mechanism of oral fat perception and preference," explains Kathleen Keller, a professor at Penn State who teamed up with other scientists from across the country for the study. "In other words, our results suggest that people with certain forms of the CD36 gene may find fat creamier and more enjoyable than others."