The effects of fat mass and obesity-associated gene variants on the body mass index among ethnic groups and in children and adults

Genome-wide association analyses have revealed common gene variations related to obesity. Variants of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene among more than 40 genes studied were most closely associated with obesity, but the association varies among ethnicities. Moreover, the effect is signi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Keiko Shinozaki, Masayuki Okuda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijem.in/article.asp?issn=2230-8210;year=2012;volume=16;issue=9;spage=588;epage=595;aulast=Shinozaki
Description
Summary:Genome-wide association analyses have revealed common gene variations related to obesity. Variants of the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene among more than 40 genes studied were most closely associated with obesity, but the association varies among ethnicities. Moreover, the effect is significant in people of European descent as well as Asians, but less significant among people of African descent. Although the variants were also associated with type 2 diabetes and glucose homeostasis, the associations were attenuated or abolished after adjusting for adiposity. The present review considers our current understanding of the effects of the FTO variants in different ethnic groups and in adults and children.
ISSN:2230-8210
2230-9500