I've been giving a lot of thought to the role that genetics play in how we look. It's a holiday weekend and no doubt I'll be getting together with my extended family, sister, brother, nieces and nephews, for an annual barbeque. I look foward to the food, after all I am writing on the "Skinny on Fat Blog", but I can't help but reflect on how my family members all have inherited the same thing from my dad. We lovingly refer to it as the "Baldassano Butt".

My Dad has been gone for twenty one years, but every day when I look in the mirror it is Memorial day and I remember that I look just like him, right down to his pear-shaped bottom. So just how much of our weight is inherited, and does it really make a difference if I pass on the london broil, homemade pasta salad, chicken and homemade cookies by Kellie?

I did tell you I was Italian decent. Hot dogs and hamburgers are appetizers at our cookouts. And pears, or pear-shapes, are remembering our Dad that day.

--Connie Mango