2nd Edition of International Obesity and Metabolism Conference 2026

Biography

James S. Skinner, Ph.D., FACSM is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University. He is a former 1) president of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), 2) Chair, International Advisory Council for Exercise is Medicine (EIM), 3) Vice President, International Council on Sport Sciences and Physical Education, 4) Chair, Medical Advisory Committee of the YMCA of the USA, and Vice President of RAFA/PANA (Red de la Actividad Física de las Américas / Physical Activity Network of the Americas). He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Panel for the American Council on Exercise and its Senior Advisor on Exercise Science. He was one of the five principal investigators of the HERITAGE Family Study, a large multi-center investigation of the role that genetic factors play in the response to training of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

As principal investigator, co-principal investigator or member of an executive committee, he has been involved in research grants totaling more than $50 million. He received the 2014 ACSM Honor Award, the highest award in his field. In 2011, he received a Doctor Honoris Causa from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. In 2025, he received the ACSM-EIM Global Leadership Award. Dr. Skinner has published over 317 articles and book chapters, 8 books (2 that he translated from German), and 21 educational DVDs. He has been actively investigating the relationships between exercise, training and health for more than 60 years and has lectured in English, French, German and Spanish in 69 countries about these relationships.

Abstract

Although the roles of genetic and environmental factors on weight gain or loss are complex, this presentation will attempt to clarify and discuss some of what is and is not known. Some people are at greater risk of becoming overweight or obese because they store fat more easily than others under similar conditions of energy intake, dietary composition, and physical activity. The heritability of body weight varies among different levels. For example, it is moderate (~35-45%) with normal and overweight but higher with obesity (~60%) and severe obesity (~80%). It should be mentioned that these are population estimates and that they do not necessarily apply to any one individual. The rapid rise in obesity over the past few decades is too fast to be attributed to genetic influences and is more likely to be associated with high intakes of calories and fat plus physical inactivity. Because there are thousands of DNA variants that link genetics and obesity, there are major challenges for programs to prevent and treat obesity.