It's not our fault: Beer Belly Genetically Pre-determined Naples - A "beer gut" gene has been found that predisposes men to have fat bellies, it has been discovered. Too many pub sessions alone cannot be blamed for a man's middle hanging over his belt, according to the findings. Scientists in Italy discovered that a particular gene variant helped make men overweight and big around the abdomen. The gene produces angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which plays a part in regulating blood pressure. The Italian team, led by Dr Pasquale Strazzullo, from the University of Naples, looked at three different forms of the gene in 959 men aged 25 to 75. They found that men with a form known as DD were more frequently overweight than those possessing the other variants. Among 314 men followed for 20 years, individuals with DD were more than twice as likely to become overweight as men who inherited the two alternative forms of the gene. Volunteers taking part in the study were all employed at Olivetti factories in the Naples suburbs. Their gene type was determined by a blood test. The DD variant is homozygous, meaning the gene has two identical paired elements. The scientists wrote in the journal "Annals of Internal Medicine": "DD homozygosity was associated with larger increases in body weight and blood pressure in ageing persons, as well as with higher incidence of overweight." However, they pointed out that the research only involved Italians and the results may not apply to all men. - Sapa-DPA