Having trouble fitting into your jeans? Researchers say your genes may be to blame, but they're not totally sure why.

A team of British scientists have discovered that people who carry two copies of a variation of the FTO gene weighed, on average, 7 pounds more than people who lack it, according to an Associated Press report.

But research published in Friday's edition of the journal Science shows strong evidence of a link. Using blood samples provided by more than 38,000 people, scientists found that those who had one copy of the gene variation had a 30 percent increased risk of obesity, and carriers of two copies had almost a 70 percent increased risk.

Sounds good to me. Now can I get a pass on the other pounds on my hips and thighs?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com