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Chodick G, Simchoni M, Jensen BW, Derazne E, Pinhas-Hamiel O, Landau R, Abramovich A, Afek A, Baker JL, Twig G. Heritability of Body Mass Index Among Familial Generations. JAMA Netw Open 2024; 7:e2419029. [PMID: 38941093 PMCID: PMC11214117 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.19029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance Studies on the familial effects of body mass index (BMI) status have yielded a wide range of data on its heritability. Objective To assess the heritability of obesity by measuring the association between the BMIs of fathers, mothers, and their offspring at the same age. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used data from population-wide mandatory medical screening before compulsory military service in Israel. The study included participants examined between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 2018, whose both parents had their BMI measurement taken at their own prerecruitment evaluation in the past. Data analysis was performed from May to December 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for offsprings' BMI and their mothers', fathers', and midparental BMI percentile (the mean of the mothers' and fathers' BMI cohort- and sex-specific BMI percentile) to estimate heritability. Logistic regression models were applied to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs of obesity compared with healthy BMI, according to parental BMI status. Results A total of 447 883 offspring (235 105 male [52.5%]; mean [SD] age, 17.09 [0.34] years) with both parents enrolled and measured for BMI at 17 years of age were enrolled in the study, yielding a total study population of 1 343 649 individuals. Overall, the correlation between midparental BMI percentile at 17 years of age and the offspring's BMI at 17 years of age was moderate (ρ = 0.386). Among female offspring, maternal-offspring BMI correlation (ρ = 0.329) was somewhat higher than the paternal-offspring BMI correlation (ρ = 0.266). Among trios in which both parents had a healthy BMI, the prevalence of overweight or obesity in offspring was 15.4%; this proportion increased to 76.6% when both parents had obesity and decreased to 3.3% when both parents had severe underweight. Compared with healthy weight, maternal (OR, 4.96; 95% CI, 4.63-5.32), paternal (OR, 4.48; 95% CI, 4.26-4.72), and parental (OR, 6.44; 95% CI, 6.22-6.67) obesity (midparent BMI in the ≥95th percentile) at 17 years of age were associated with increased odds of obesity among offspring. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of military enrollees whose parents also underwent prerecruitment evaluations, the observed correlation between midparental and offspring BMI, coupled with a calculated narrow-sense heritability of 39%, suggested a substantive contribution of genetic factors to BMI variation at 17 years of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Chodick
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maya Simchoni
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
- Department of Military Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
| | - Britt Wang Jensen
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Estela Derazne
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Orit Pinhas-Hamiel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Pediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit, Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Regev Landau
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Arnon Afek
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Central Management, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Jennifer Lyn Baker
- Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital–Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gilad Twig
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Institute of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Wu Y, Hao X, Zhu K, Zheng C, Guan F, Zeng P, Wang T. Long-term adverse influence of smoking during pregnancy on height and body size of offspring at ten years old in the UK Biobank cohort. SSM Popul Health 2023; 24:101506. [PMID: 37692834 PMCID: PMC10492214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To explore the long-term relationship between maternal smoking during pregnancy and early childhood growth in the UK Biobank cohort. Methods To estimate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on offspring height and body size at ten years old, we performed binary logistic analyses and reported odds ratios (OR) as well as 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). We also implemented the cross-contextual comparison study to examine whether such influence could be repeatedly observed among three different ethnicities in the UK Biobank cohort (n = 22,140 for White, n = 7094 for South Asian, and n = 5000 for Black). In particular, we conducted the sibling cohort study in White sibling cohort (n = 9953 for height and n = 7239 for body size) to control for unmeasured familial confounders. Results We discovered that children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy had greater risk of being shorter or plumper at age ten in the full UK Biobank White cohort, with 15.3% (95% CIs: 13.0%∼17.7%) higher risk for height and 32.4% (95%CIs: 29.5%∼35.4%) larger risk for body size. Similar associations were identified in the South Asian and Black ethnicities. These associations were robust and remained significant in the White sibling cohort (12.6% [95%CIs: 5.0%∼20.3%] for height and 36.1% [95%CIs: 26.3%∼45.9%] for body size) after controlling for family factors. Conclusion This study robustly confirms that maternal smoking during pregnancy can promote height deficit and obesity for offspring at ten years old. Our findings strongly encourage mothers to quit smoking during pregnancy for improving growth and development of offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Xingjie Hao
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Kexuan Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Chu Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Fengjun Guan
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Ping Zeng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
- Center for Medical Statistics and Data Analysis, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
- Key Laboratory of Human Genetics and Environmental Medicine, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
- Engineering Research Innovation Center of Biological Data Mining and Healthcare Transformation, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221004, China
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Johnson W, Pereira SMP, Costa S, Baker JL, Norris T. The associations of maternal and paternal obesity with latent patterns of offspring BMI development between 7 and 17 years of age: pooled analyses of cohorts born in 1958 and 2001 in the United Kingdom. Int J Obes (Lond) 2023; 47:39-50. [PMID: 36357563 PMCID: PMC9834052 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-022-01237-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to 1) describe how the UK obesity epidemic reflects a change over time in the proportion of the population demonstrating adverse latent patterns of BMI development and 2) investigate the potential roles of maternal and paternal BMI in this secular process. METHODS We used serial BMI data between 7 and 17 years of age from 13220 boys and 12711 girls. Half the sample was born in 1958 and half in 2001. Sex-specific growth mixture models were developed. The relationships of maternal and paternal BMI and weight status with class membership were estimated using the 3-step BCH approach, with covariate adjustment. RESULTS The selected models had five classes. For each sex, in addition to the two largest normal weight classes, there were "normal weight increasing to overweight" (17% of boys and 20% of girls), "overweight increasing to obesity" (8% and 6%), and "overweight decreasing to normal weight" (3% and 6%) classes. More than 1-in-10 children from the 2001 birth cohort were in the "overweight increasing to obesity" class, compared to less than 1-in-30 from the 1958 birth cohort. Approximately 75% of the mothers and fathers of this class had overweight or obesity. When considered together, both maternal and paternal BMI were associated with latent class membership, with evidence of negative departure from additivity (i.e., the combined effect of maternal and paternal BMI was smaller than the sum of the individual effects). The odds of a girl belonging to the "overweight increasing to obesity" class (compared to the largest normal weight class) was 13.11 (8.74, 19.66) times higher if both parents had overweight or obesity (compared to both parents having normal weight); the equivalent estimate for boys was 9.01 (6.37, 12.75). CONCLUSIONS The increase in obesity rates in the UK over more than 40 years has been partly driven by the growth of a sub-population demonstrating excess BMI gain during adolescence. Our results implicate both maternal and paternal BMI as correlates of this secular process.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Johnson
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Snehal M. Pinto Pereira
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UCL Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Silvia Costa
- grid.6571.50000 0004 1936 8542School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Jennifer L. Baker
- grid.411702.10000 0000 9350 8874Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, The Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tom Norris
- grid.83440.3b0000000121901201UCL Division of Surgery & Interventional Science, University College London, London, UK
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Hinney A, Körner A, Fischer-Posovszky P. The promise of new anti-obesity therapies arising from knowledge of genetic obesity traits. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:623-637. [PMID: 35902734 PMCID: PMC9330928 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-022-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a multifactorial and complex disease that often manifests in early childhood with a lifelong burden. Polygenic and monogenic obesity are driven by the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Polygenic variants are frequent and confer small effect sizes. Rare monogenic obesity syndromes are caused by defined pathogenic variants in single genes with large effect sizes. Most of these genes are involved in the central nervous regulation of body weight; for example, genes of the leptin-melanocortin pathway. Clinically, patients with monogenic obesity present with impaired satiety, hyperphagia and pronounced food-seeking behaviour in early childhood, which leads to severe early-onset obesity. With the advent of novel pharmacological treatment options emerging for monogenic obesity syndromes that target the central melanocortin pathway, genetic testing is recommended for patients with rapid weight gain in infancy and additional clinical suggestive features. Likewise, patients with obesity associated with hypothalamic damage or other forms of syndromic obesity involving energy regulatory circuits could benefit from these novel pharmacological treatment options. Early identification of patients affected by syndromic obesity will lead to appropriate treatment, thereby preventing the development of obesity sequelae, avoiding failure of conservative treatment approaches and alleviating stigmatization of patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy and University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Antje Körner
- Leipzig University, Medical Faculty, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Centre of Paediatric Research (CPL), Leipzig, Germany
- LIFE Child, Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) of the Helmholtz Zentrum München at the University of Leipzig and University Hospital Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Ji M, An R. Parenting Styles in Relation to Childhood Obesity, Smoking and Drinking: A Gene-Environment Interaction Study. J Hum Nutr Diet 2022; 35:625-633. [PMID: 35665546 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed gene-environment interactions linking maternal parenting styles to childhood obesity and alcohol and tobacco use. METHODS Data was retrieved from the first wave of the German Twin Family Panel. Participants comprised 3 birth cohorts aged 5, 11, and 17 years, with approximately 500 pairs of same-sex monozygotic twins and 500 pairs of same-sex dizygotic twins per cohort. Self-reported parenting styles were measured in 5 dimensions: emotional warmth, psychological control, negative communication, monitoring, and inconsistent parenting. Outcome variables included children's body mass index z-score (BMIz) and smoking and alcohol drinking frequency. Gene-environment interaction models were used to assess how parenting styles might moderate genetic and environmental influences on BMIz and smoking and drinking behaviors. RESULTS A positive interaction of genetic effects with psychological control was found for BMIz at age 5, indicating that genetic influences on BMIz increased with psychological control. No interaction effect was found for BMIz at age 11 and 17. Regarding adolescent smoking, positive interaction between genetic effects and negative communication was found, indicating that genetic influences on smoking increased with negative communication. There was no significant moderating effect of parenting styles on adolescent drinking. CONCLUSIONS This study found some preliminary evidence that parenting styles moderated genetic and environmental impacts on body weight status and smoking. Moderation effects of parenting on BMIz were observed only at a very young age. The moderating effects of parenting influenced adolescent smoking but not drinking. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Ji
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ruopeng An
- Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Alrouh H, van Bergen E, de Zeeuw E, Dolan C, Boomsma DI. Intergenerational transmission of body mass index and associations with educational attainment. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:890. [PMID: 35509009 PMCID: PMC9069759 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individual differences in educational attainment (EA) and physical health, as indexed by body mass index (BMI), are correlated within persons and across generations. The present aim was to assess these associations while controlling for parental transmission. Methods We analyzed BMI and EA obtained for 8,866 families from the Netherlands. Data were available for 19,132 persons, including 6,901 parents (mean age 54) and 12,234 of their adult offspring (mean age 32). We employed structural equation modeling to simultaneously model the direct and indirect transmission of BMI and EA from parents to offspring, spousal correlations, and the residual within-person BMI-EA association and tested for gender differences in the transmission parameters. Results We found moderate intergeneration transmission for BMI (standardized beta ~ .20) and EA (~ .22), and substantial spousal correlations for BMI (.23) and EA (.51). Cross-trait parent to offspring transmission was weak. The strength of transmission was largely independent of parent or offspring gender. Negative within person EA-BMI correlations were observed for all family members (fathers, -0.102; mothers, -0.147; sons, -0.154; daughters, -0.173). About 60% of the EA-BMI correlation in offspring persisted after taking into account the intergeneration transmission. Conclusions The intergenerational transmission for BMI and EA is mainly predictive within traits. Significant spousal and within person correlations in the parental generation are responsible for the effect of parental EA on offspring BMI. Offspring EA and BMI are further correlated beyond parental influences. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13270-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hekmat Alrouh
- Department of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, Room MF-H557, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Elsje van Bergen
- Department of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, Room MF-H557, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Research Institute LEARN!, VrijeUniversiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Eveline de Zeeuw
- Department of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, Room MF-H557, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Conor Dolan
- Department of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, Room MF-H557, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dorret I Boomsma
- Department of Biological Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 7-9, Room MF-H557, 1081 BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Bouchard C. Genetics of Obesity: What We Have Learned Over Decades of Research. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2021; 29:802-820. [PMID: 33899337 DOI: 10.1002/oby.23116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is a genetic component to human obesity that accounts for 40% to 50% of the variability in body weight status but that is lower among normal weight individuals (about 30%) and substantially higher in the subpopulation of individuals with obesity and severe obesity (about 60%-80%). The appreciation that heritability varies across classes of BMI represents an important advance. After controlling for BMI, ectopic fat and fat distribution traits are characterized by heritability levels ranging from 30% to 55%. Defects in at least 15 genes are the cause of monogenic obesity cases, resulting mostly from deficiencies in the leptin-melanocortin signaling pathway. Approximately two-thirds of the BMI heritability can be imputed to common DNA variants, whereas low-frequency and rare variants explain the remaining fraction. Diminishing allele effect size is observed as the number of obesity-associated variants expands, with most BMI-increasing or -decreasing alleles contributing only a few grams or less to body weight. Obesity-promoting alleles exert minimal effects in normal weight individuals but have larger effects in individuals with a proneness to obesity, suggesting a higher penetrance; however, it is not known whether these larger effect sizes precede obesity or are caused by an obese state. The obesity genetic risk is conditioned by thousands of DNA variants that make genetically based obesity prevention and treatment a major challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Bouchard
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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Brandkvist M, Bjørngaard JH, Ødegård RA, Brumpton B, Smith GD, Åsvold BO, Sund ER, Kvaløy K, Willer CJ, Vie GÅ. Genetic associations with temporal shifts in obesity and severe obesity during the obesity epidemic in Norway: A longitudinal population-based cohort (the HUNT Study). PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003452. [PMID: 33315864 PMCID: PMC7735641 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975 as environments are becoming more obesogenic. Our study investigates how changes in population weight and obesity over time are associated with genetic predisposition in the context of an obesogenic environment over 6 decades and examines the robustness of the findings using sibling design. METHODS AND FINDINGS A total of 67,110 individuals aged 13-80 years in the Nord-Trøndelag region of Norway participated with repeated standardized body mass index (BMI) measurements from 1966 to 2019 and were genotyped in a longitudinal population-based health study, the Trøndelag Health Study (the HUNT Study). Genotyping required survival to and participation in the HUNT Study in the 1990s or 2000s. Linear mixed models with observations nested within individuals were used to model the association between a genome-wide polygenic score (GPS) for BMI and BMI, while generalized estimating equations were used for obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2). The increase in the average BMI and prevalence of obesity was steeper among the genetically predisposed. Among 35-year-old men, the prevalence of obesity for the least predisposed tenth increased from 0.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6% to 1.2%) to 6.5% (95% CI 5.0% to 8.0%), while the most predisposed tenth increased from 14.2% (95% CI 12.6% to 15.7%) to 39.6% (95% CI 36.1% to 43.0%). Equivalently for women of the same age, the prevalence of obesity for the least predisposed tenth increased from 1.1% (95% CI 0.7% to1.5%) to 7.6% (95% CI 6.0% to 9.2%), while the most predisposed tenth increased from 15.4% (95% CI 13.7% to 17.2%) to 42.0% (95% CI 38.7% to 45.4%). Thus, for 35-year-old men and women, respectively, the absolute change in the prevalence of obesity from 1966 to 2019 was 19.8 percentage points (95% CI 16.2 to 23.5, p < 0.0001) and 20.0 percentage points (95% CI 16.4 to 23.7, p < 0.0001) greater for the most predisposed tenth compared with the least predisposed tenth, defined using the GPS for BMI. The corresponding absolute changes in the prevalence of severe obesity for men and women, respectively, were 8.5 percentage points (95% CI 6.3 to 10.7, p < 0.0001) and 12.6 percentage points (95% CI 9.6 to 15.6, p < 0.0001) greater for the most predisposed tenth. The greater increase in BMI in genetically predisposed individuals over time was apparent after adjustment for family-level confounding using a sibling design. Key limitations include a slightly lower survival to date of genetic testing for the older cohorts and that we apply a contemporary genetic score to past time periods. Future research should validate our findings using a polygenic risk score constructed from historical data. CONCLUSIONS In the context of increasingly obesogenic changes in our environment over 6 decades, our findings reveal a growing inequality in the risk for obesity and severe obesity across GPS tenths. Our results suggest that while obesity is a partially heritable trait, it is still modifiable by environmental factors. While it may be possible to identify those most susceptible to environmental change, who thus have the most to gain from preventive measures, efforts to reverse the obesogenic environment will benefit the whole population and help resolve the obesity epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brandkvist
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Children’s Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Obesity Centre, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Johan Håkon Bjørngaard
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
| | - Rønnaug Astri Ødegård
- Children’s Clinic, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Obesity Centre, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ben Brumpton
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Clinic of Thoracic and Occupational Medicine, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - George Davey Smith
- Medical Research Council Integrative Epidemiology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Barley House, Oakfield Grove, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Bjørn Olav Åsvold
- K.G. Jebsen Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Endocrinology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway
| | - Erik R. Sund
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Levanger, Norway
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway
- Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| | - Kirsti Kvaløy
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway
- Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| | - Cristen J. Willer
- Department of Human Genetics, Internal Medicine, and Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Gunnhild Åberge Vie
- Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Obesity Centre, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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Costa-Font J, Jofre-Bonet M. Is the intergenerational transmission of overweight 'gender assortative'? ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2020; 39:100907. [PMID: 32823228 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2020.100907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Using almost two decades worth of data from the Health Survey for England, that contain representative records of clinically measured weight and height, this paper studies whether parents and children's overweight (including obesity) is 'gender assortative'. Our findings suggest that the intergenerational transmission of parent's overweight differs by children's sex and is statistically different for fathers and mothers. Gender assortative overweight is stronger among pre-school age and school-aged children. The parent-child associations are large and precisely estimated, heterogeneous by children's age and sex and stronger among white children and children of older parents. These results suggest there is a gender assortative intergenerational association of overweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Costa-Font
- Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, WC2A 2AE, London, UK.
| | - Mireia Jofre-Bonet
- Office of Health Economics, London, UK; Department of Economics, City, University of London, UK
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10
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Abstract
Human obesity has a large genetic component, yet has many serious negative consequences. How this state of affairs has evolved has generated wide debate. The thrifty gene hypothesis was the first attempt to explain obesity as a consequence of adaptive responses to an ancient environment that in modern society become disadvantageous. The idea is that genes (or more precisely, alleles) predisposing to obesity may have been selected for by repeated exposure to famines. However, this idea has many flaws: for instance, selection of the supposed magnitude over the duration of human evolution would fix any thrifty alleles (famines kill the old and young, not the obese) and there is no evidence that hunter-gatherer populations become obese between famines. An alternative idea (called thrifty late) is that selection in famines has only happened since the agricultural revolution. However, this is inconsistent with the absence of strong signatures of selection at single nucleotide polymorphisms linked to obesity. In parallel to discussions about the origin of obesity, there has been much debate regarding the regulation of body weight. There are three basic models: the set-point, settling point and dual-intervention point models. Selection might act against low and high levels of adiposity because food unpredictability and the risk of starvation selects against low adiposity whereas the risk of predation selects against high adiposity. Although evidence for the latter is quite strong, evidence for the former is relatively weak. The release from predation ∼2-million years ago is suggested to have led to the upper intervention point drifting in evolutionary time, leading to the modern distribution of obesity: the drifty gene hypothesis. Recent critiques of the dual-intervention point/drifty gene idea are flawed and inconsistent with known aspects of energy balance physiology. Here, I present a new formulation of the dual-intervention point model. This model includes the novel suggestion that food unpredictability and starvation are insignificant factors driving fat storage, and that the main force driving up fat storage is the risk of disease and the need to survive periods of pathogen-induced anorexia. This model shows why two independent intervention points are more likely to evolve than a single set point. The molecular basis of the lower intervention point is likely based around the leptin pathway signalling. Determining the molecular basis of the upper intervention point is a crucial key target for future obesity research. A potential definitive test to separate the different models is also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Speakman
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China .,Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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11
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Wang G, Ekeleme-Egedigwe CA, El Hamdouchi A, Sauciuvenaite J, Bissland R, Djafarian K, Ojiambo R, Ramuth H, Holasek S, Lackner S, Diouf A, Hambly C, Vaanholt LM, Cao M, Hacker M, Kruger HS, Seru T, Faries MD, Speakman JR. Beauty and the Body of the Beholder: Raters' BMI Has Only Limited Association with Ratings of Attractiveness of the Opposite Sex. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2018; 26:522-530. [PMID: 29464908 DOI: 10.1002/oby.22092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assortative mating for adiposity increases the genetic burden on offspring, but its causes remain unclear. One hypothesis is that people who have high adiposity find other people with obesity more physically attractive than lean people. METHODS The attractiveness of sets of images of males and females who varied in adiposity were rated by opposite sex subjects (559 males and 340 females) across 12 countries. RESULTS There was tremendous individual variability in attractiveness ratings. For female attractiveness, most males favored the leanest subjects, but others favored intermediate fatness, some were indifferent to body composition, and others rated the subjects with obesity as most attractive. For male images rated by females, the patterns were more complex. Most females favored subjects with low levels of adiposity (but not the lowest level), whereas others were indifferent to body fatness or rated the images depicting individuals with obesity as the most attractive. These patterns were unrelated to rater BMI. Among Caucasian males who rated the images of the thinnest females as being more attractive, the magnitude of the effect depended on rater BMI, indicating limited "mutual attraction." CONCLUSIONS Individual variations in ratings of physical attractiveness were broadly unrelated to rater BMI and suggest that mutual attraction is an unlikely explanation for assortative mating for obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanlin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Chima A Ekeleme-Egedigwe
- Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Federal University Ndufu Alike lkwo, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Asmaa El Hamdouchi
- National Energy Center of Nuclear Science and Technology (CNESTEN), Joint Research Unit of Nutrition and Food, CNESTEN-Ibn Tofail University, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Justina Sauciuvenaite
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ruth Bissland
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Kurosh Djafarian
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Robert Ojiambo
- Medical Physiology Department, College of Health Science, School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Harris Ramuth
- Biochemistry Department, Central Health Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health and Quality of Life, Port Louis, Mauritius
| | - Sandra Holasek
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Sonja Lackner
- Center of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Adama Diouf
- Laboratory of Nutrition, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Dakar, Senegal
| | - Catherine Hambly
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lobke M Vaanholt
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Minxuan Cao
- Department of Biology, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megan Hacker
- Department of Sports Medicine, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
| | - Herculina S Kruger
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Tumelo Seru
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Mark D Faries
- Family and Community Health Unit, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, College Station, Texas, USA
- Department of Humanities in Medicine, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, Bryan, Texas, USA
| | - John R Speakman
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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12
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Qasim A, Turcotte M, de Souza RJ, Samaan MC, Champredon D, Dushoff J, Speakman JR, Meyre D. On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations. Obes Rev 2018; 19:121-149. [PMID: 29144594 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Genetic predisposition to obesity presents a paradox: how do genetic variants with a detrimental impact on human health persist through evolutionary time? Numerous hypotheses, such as the thrifty genotype hypothesis, attempt to explain this phenomenon yet fail to provide a justification for the modern obesity epidemic. In this critical review, we appraise existing theories explaining the evolutionary origins of obesity and explore novel biological and sociocultural agents of evolutionary change to help explain the modern-day distribution of obesity-predisposing variants. Genetic drift, acting as a form of 'blind justice,' may randomly affect allele frequencies across generations while gene pleiotropy and adaptations to diverse environments may explain the rise and subsequent selection of obesity risk alleles. As an adaptive response, epigenetic regulation of gene expression may impact the manifestation of genetic predisposition to obesity. Finally, exposure to malnutrition and disease epidemics in the wake of oppressive social systems, culturally mediated notions of attractiveness and desirability, and diverse mating systems may play a role in shaping the human genome. As an important first step towards the identification of important drivers of obesity gene evolution, this review may inform empirical research focused on testing evolutionary theories by way of population genetics and mathematical modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Qasim
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - M Turcotte
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - R J de Souza
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - M C Samaan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - D Champredon
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Agent-Based Modelling Laboratory, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Dushoff
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - J R Speakman
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.,State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - D Meyre
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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13
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Stryjecki C, Alyass A, Meyre D. Ethnic and population differences in the genetic predisposition to human obesity. Obes Rev 2018; 19:62-80. [PMID: 29024387 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Obesity rates have escalated to the point of a global pandemic with varying prevalence across ethnic groups. These differences are partially explained by lifestyle factors in addition to genetic predisposition to obesity. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the ethnic differences in the genetic architecture of obesity. Using examples from evolution, heritability, admixture, monogenic and polygenic studies of obesity, we provide explanations for ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity. The debate over definitions of race and ethnicity, the advantages and limitations of multi-ethnic studies and future directions of research are also discussed. Multi-ethnic studies have great potential to provide a better understanding of ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity that may result in more targeted and personalized obesity treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Stryjecki
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - A Alyass
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - D Meyre
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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14
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Bergmann S, Keitel-Korndörfer A, Herfurth-Majstorovic K, Wendt V, Klein AM, von Klitzing K, Grube M. Recruitment strategies in a prospective longitudinal family study on parents with obesity and their toddlers. BMC Public Health 2017; 17:145. [PMID: 28143475 PMCID: PMC5286690 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4038-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recruitment of participants with obesity is a real challenge. To reduce time and costs in similar projects, we investigated various recruiting strategies used in a longitudinal family study with respect to their enrolment yield and cost effectiveness. Results may help other research groups to optimize their recruitment strategies. Methods We applied different recruitment strategies to acquire families with children aged 6 to 47 months and at least one parent with obesity (risk group) or two parents of normal weight (control group) for a longitudinal non-interventional study. Based on four main strategies-via media, kindergartens, health professionals and focusing on the community-we examined 15 different subcategories of strategies. Based on enrolment yield and relative costs (e.g., material expenses, staff time) we analyzed the effectiveness of each recruitment strategy. Results Following different recruitment approaches, 685 families contacted us; 26% (n = 178) of these met the inclusion criteria. Of the four main strategies, the community-focused strategy was the most successful one (accounting for 36.5% of the sample) followed by contacts with kindergartens (accounting for 28.1% of the sample). Of the subcategories, two strategies were outstanding: Posters (community-focused strategies), and recruitment via kindergartens using phone contacts rather than emailing. Only a small number of participants were recruited via announcements in newspapers (lower cost strategy), advertisements on public transport or face-to-face recruitment at various places (higher cost strategies). Conclusions Results revealed that only a combination of different active and passive methods and approaches led to a sufficient sample size. In this study, recruitment via posters and contacting kindergartens on the phone produced the highest numbers of participants (high enrolment yield) at moderate costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bergmann
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Keitel-Korndörfer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina Herfurth-Majstorovic
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Verena Wendt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Annette M Klein
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kai von Klitzing
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Matthias Grube
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) AdiposityDiseases, University of Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Strasse 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany. .,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Psychosomatics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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15
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Al-Shammari SA, Khoja T, Gad A. Community-based Study of Obesity among Children and Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Food Nutr Bull 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/156482650102200209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. A. Al-Shammari
- Department of family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - T. Khoja
- Department of family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A. Gad
- Department of family and Community Medicine, King Saud University, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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16
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Qureshi SA, Mumtaz A, Shahid SU, Shabana NA. rs3751812, a common variant in fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, is associated with serum high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Pakistani individuals. Nutrition 2016; 39-40:92-95. [PMID: 27324062 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a common variant of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene, rs3751812 in obese Pakistani individuals, compare this effect with nonobese controls of the same ethnicity, and then correlate it with serum lipid profile and anthropometric parameters. METHODS We genotyped 475 samples using TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Serum total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and high- (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations were measured. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 22 and the results were analyzed for any significant associations. RESULTS Results demonstrated that the variant is significantly associated with obesity in Pakistan. The study found, for the first time, that the variant has a significant effect on lowering HDL-C and increasing LDL-C. Among anthropometric measures, the variant showed significant association with body mass index and weight. CONCLUSION The study concludes that the FTO variant is consistently associated with obesity in the Pakistani population and its association with anthropometric and lipid parameters show that it may mediate its role by altering fat deposition and disturbing serum lipid profile. However, future studies with larger sample size are needed to validate the results of the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Anwar Qureshi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Amir Mumtaz
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saleem Ullah Shahid
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - N A Shabana
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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17
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Obesity, More than a ‘Cosmetic’ Problem. Current Knowledge and Future Prospects of Human Obesity Genetics. Biochem Genet 2015; 54:1-28. [DOI: 10.1007/s10528-015-9700-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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18
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Effect of the Common Fat Mass and Obesity Associated Gene Variants on Obesity in Pakistani Population: A Case-Control Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:852920. [PMID: 26357660 PMCID: PMC4555445 DOI: 10.1155/2015/852920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background/Objective. Obesity has become a global epidemic due to an increase in the number of obese individuals worldwide. There is little research in the field of obesity genetics in Pakistan. The aim of the current study was to analyze the association of common variants in Fat Mass and Obesity associated (FTO) gene with obesity in Pakistan, to find out the effect of the selected SNPs on anthropometric and biochemical traits, and to observe whether these variants act synergistically. Methods. Samples from 631 subjects were taken after informed consent and were used for serum parameters and genetic analysis. Lipid profile was determined, tetra-ARMS PCR was used for genotyping, and allele/genotype frequencies and genescore were calculated. Results. All FTO variants were associated with obesity, and some biochemical and anthropometric measures and had higher minor allele frequencies than those reported for Asian populations previously. The risk allele of each single nucleotide polymorphism resulted in an increase in BMI in a quantitative manner. Conclusion. Common forms of obesity are due to a combined net effect of many variants presented in same or different genes. The more the number of risk alleles present, the higher the risk and severity of obesity resulting from an increase in BMI.
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19
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Casazza K, Brown A, Astrup A, Bertz F, Baum C, Brown MB, Dawson J, Durant N, Dutton G, Fields DA, Fontaine KR, Heymsfield S, Levitsky D, Mehta T, Menachemi N, Newby PK, Pate R, Raynor H, Rolls BJ, Sen B, Smith DL, Thomas D, Wansink B, Allison DB. Weighing the Evidence of Common Beliefs in Obesity Research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2015; 55:2014-53. [PMID: 24950157 PMCID: PMC4272668 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2014.922044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a topic on which many views are strongly held in the absence of scientific evidence to support those views, and some views are strongly held despite evidence to contradict those views. We refer to the former as "presumptions" and the latter as "myths." Here, we present nine myths and 10 presumptions surrounding the effects of rapid weight loss; setting realistic goals in weight loss therapy; stage of change or readiness to lose weight; physical education classes; breastfeeding; daily self-weighing; genetic contribution to obesity; the "Freshman 15"; food deserts; regularly eating (versus skipping) breakfast; eating close to bedtime; eating more fruits and vegetables; weight cycling (i.e., yo-yo dieting); snacking; built environment; reducing screen time in childhood obesity; portion size; participation in family mealtime; and drinking water as a means of weight loss. For each of these, we describe the belief and present evidence that the belief is widely held or stated, reasons to support the conjecture that the belief might be true, evidence to directly support or refute the belief, and findings from randomized controlled trials, if available. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these determinations, conjecture on why so many myths and presumptions exist, and suggestions for limiting the spread of these and other unsubstantiated beliefs about the obesity domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Casazza
- a Department of Nutrition Sciences , University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham , Alabama USA
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20
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Abstract
Evolution has molded metabolic thrift within humans, a genetic heritage that, when thrust into our modern "obesogenic" environment, creates the current obesity crisis. Modern genetic analysis has identified genetic and epigenetic contributors to obesity, an understanding of which will guide the development of environmental, pharmacologic, and genetic therapeutic interventions.
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21
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Speakman JR. Evolutionary perspectives on the obesity epidemic: adaptive, maladaptive, and neutral viewpoints. Annu Rev Nutr 2014; 33:289-317. [PMID: 23862645 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-nutr-071811-150711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of obesity in modern societies has two major contributory factors-an environmental change that has happened in historical times and a genetic predisposition that has its origins in our evolutionary history. Understanding both aspects is complex. From an evolutionary perspective, three different types of explanation have been proposed. The first is that obesity was once adaptive and enabled us to survive (or sustain fecundity) through periods of famine. People carrying so-called thrifty genes that enabled the efficient storage of energy as fat between famines would be at a selective advantage. In the modern world, however, people who have inherited these genes deposit fat in preparation for a famine that never comes, and the result is widespread obesity. The key problem with this, and any other adaptive scenario, is to understand why, if obesity was historically so advantageous, many people did not inherit these thrifty genes and in modern society are able to remain slim, despite the environmental change favoring fat storage. The second type of explanation is that obesity is not adaptive and may never even have existed in our evolutionary past, but it is favored today as a maladaptive by-product of positive selection on some other trait. An example of this type of explanation is the suggestion that obesity results from variation in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Finally, a third class of explanation is that most mutations in the genes that predispose us to obesity are neutral and have been drifting over evolutionary time--so-called drifty genes, leading some individuals to be obesity prone and others obesity resistant. In this article, I review the current evidence for and against these three different scenarios and conclude that the thrifty gene hypothesis is untenable but the other two ideas may provide a cogent explanation of the modern obesity phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Speakman
- Key State Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chaoyang, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Al-Daghri NM, Alkharfy KM, Al-Attas OS, Krishnaswamy S, Mohammed AK, Albagha OM, Alenad AM, Chrousos GP, Alokail MS. Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus-related SNP variants and obesity traits in a Saudi population. Mol Biol Rep 2014; 41:1731-40. [PMID: 24435973 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-014-3022-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, commonly measured as body mass index (BMI), has been on a rapid rise around the world and is an underlying cause of several chronic non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to the environmental factors, genetic factors may also contribute to the ongoing obesity epidemic in Saudi Arabia. This study investigated the association between variants of 36 previously established T2DM SNPs and obesity phenotypes in a population of Saudi subjects. Study subjects consisted of 975 obese (BMI: ≥30), 825 overweight (25-30) and 423 lean controls (18-25) and of these 927 had a history of T2DM. Subjects were genotyped for 36 SNPs, which have been previously proved to be T2DM linked, using the KASPar method and the means of BMI and waist circumference (WC) corresponding to each of the genotypes were compared by additive, recessive and dominant genetic models. Five and seven of 36 T2DM-related SNPs were significantly associated with the BMI and WC, respectively. Variants of SNPs rs7903146, rs1552224 and rs11642841 in the control group and rs7903146 in T2DM group showed significant association with both BMI and WC. Variant of SNP rs10440833 was significantly associated with BMI in T2DM group of both males [OR = 1.8 (1.0, 3.3); P = 0.04] and females [OR = 2.0 (1.0, 3.9); P = 0.04]. Genetic risk scores explained 19 and 14% of WC and hip size variance in this population. Variants of a number of established T2DM related SNPs were associated with obesity phenotypes and may be significant hereditary factors in the pathogenesis of T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser M Al-Daghri
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
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23
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Fisher CI, Fincher CL, Hahn AC, Little AC, DeBruine LM, Jones BC. Do assortative preferences contribute to assortative mating for adiposity? Br J Psychol 2013; 105:474-85. [PMID: 24168811 PMCID: PMC4282125 DOI: 10.1111/bjop.12055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Assortative mating for adiposity, whereby levels of adiposity in romantic partners tend to be positively correlated, has implications for population health due to the combined effects of partners' levels of adiposity on fertility and/or offspring health. Although assortative preferences for cues of adiposity, whereby leaner people are inherently more attracted to leaner individuals, have been proposed as a factor in assortative mating for adiposity, there have been no direct tests of this issue. Because of this, and because of recent work suggesting that facial cues of adiposity convey information about others' health that may be particularly important for mate preferences, we tested the contribution of assortative preferences for facial cues of adiposity to assortative mating for adiposity (assessed from body mass index, BMI) in a sample of romantic couples. Romantic partners' BMIs were positively correlated and this correlation was not due to the effects of age or relationship duration. However, although men and women with leaner partners showed stronger preferences for cues of low levels of adiposity, controlling for these preferences did not weaken the correlation between partners' BMIs. Indeed, own BMI and preferences were uncorrelated. These results suggest that assortative preferences for facial cues of adiposity contribute little (if at all) to assortative mating for adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire I Fisher
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Glasgow, UK
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Familial aggregation of metabolic syndrome indicators in Portuguese families. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:314823. [PMID: 24171163 PMCID: PMC3793391 DOI: 10.1155/2013/314823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aims. Family studies are well suited to investigate the genetic architecture underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purposes of this paper were (i) to estimate heritabilities for each of the MetS indicators, and (ii) to test the significance of familial intratrait and cross-trait correlations in MetS markers. Methods and Results. This study included 1,363 individuals from 515 Portuguese families in which five MetS components, including waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and glucose (GLU), were measured. Intratrait and cross-trait familial correlations of these five components were estimated using Generalized Estimating Equations. Each MetS component was significantly heritable (h2 ranged from 0.12 to 0.60) and exhibited strong familial resemblance with correlations between biological relatives of similar magnitude to those observed between spouses. With respect to cross-trait correlations, familial resemblance was very weak except for the HDL-TG pair. Conclusions. The present findings confirm the idea of familial aggregation in MetS traits. Spousal correlations were, in general, of the same magnitude as the biological relatives' correlations suggesting that most of the phenotypic variance in MetS traits could be explained by shared environment.
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Siervo M, Montagnese C, Muscariello E, Evans E, Stephan BCM, Nasti G, Papa A, Iannetti E, Colantuoni A. Weight loss expectations and body dissatisfaction in young women attempting to lose weight. J Hum Nutr Diet 2013; 27 Suppl 2:84-9. [PMID: 23600856 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unrealistic weight loss expectations (WLEs) and greater body dissatisfaction may be associated with the poor long-term outcomes of dietary and lifestyle weight loss treatments. We evaluated the association between body size, WLEs and body dissatisfaction in young women attempting to lose weight. METHODS Forty-four young healthy women [age range 18-35 years, body mass index (BMI) range 23-40 kg/m2] were recruited. Women were classified as obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI <30.0 kg/m2). The Body Dissatisfaction scale of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Body Image Assessment for Obesity silhouette charts were used to assess body dissatisfaction. WLEs were categorised according to personal (ideal, happiness, satisfaction, weight history), lifestyle (fitness) and social (career, family acceptance, peer acceptance, mass media, social pressure) factors. Individual WLEs were compared with recommended clinical targets (5%, 10% and 20%) for weight loss. RESULTS Body dissatisfaction was lower in non-obese subjects and was directly associated with BMI (P < 0.05). WLEs were directly associated with BMI and the obese group reported greater expectations. Five non-obese subjects (23%) desired to lose more than 20% of their body weight, whereas the proportion was significantly higher in the obese group (17 subjects; 74%). Subjects derived the greatest WLEs from mass media, whereas they perceived that family and friends were supportive of a lesser degree of weight loss. CONCLUSIONS We observed a mismatch between clinical and personal expectations, and social pressure and interpersonal relationships appear to have a prominent role with respect to influencing the association.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Siervo
- Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle on Tyne, UK
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Knoll N, Jarick I, Volckmar AL, Klingenspor M, Illig T, Grallert H, Gieger C, Wichmann HE, Peters A, Hebebrand J, Scherag A, Hinney A. Gene set of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial regulators is enriched for common inherited variation in obesity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55884. [PMID: 23409076 PMCID: PMC3568071 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 01/03/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
There are hints of an altered mitochondrial function in obesity. Nuclear-encoded genes are relevant for mitochondrial function (3 gene sets of known relevant pathways: (1) 16 nuclear regulators of mitochondrial genes, (2) 91 genes for oxidative phosphorylation and (3) 966 nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed no association with type 2 diabetes mellitus in these gene sets. Here we performed a GSEA for the same gene sets for obesity. Genome wide association study (GWAS) data from a case-control approach on 453 extremely obese children and adolescents and 435 lean adult controls were used for GSEA. For independent confirmation, we analyzed 705 obesity GWAS trios (extremely obese child and both biological parents) and a population-based GWAS sample (KORA F4, n = 1,743). A meta-analysis was performed on all three samples. In each sample, the distribution of significance levels between the respective gene set and those of all genes was compared using the leading-edge-fraction-comparison test (cut-offs between the 50th and 95th percentile of the set of all gene-wise corrected p-values) as implemented in the MAGENTA software. In the case-control sample, significant enrichment of associations with obesity was observed above the 50th percentile for the set of the 16 nuclear regulators of mitochondrial genes (pGSEA,50 = 0.0103). This finding was not confirmed in the trios (pGSEA,50 = 0.5991), but in KORA (pGSEA,50 = 0.0398). The meta-analysis again indicated a trend for enrichment (pMAGENTA,50 = 0.1052, pMAGENTA,75 = 0.0251). The GSEA revealed that weak association signals for obesity might be enriched in the gene set of 16 nuclear regulators of mitochondrial genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Knoll
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ivonne Jarick
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Volckmar
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Thomas Illig
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Hannover Unified Biobank, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Grallert
- Research Unit of Molecular Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Gieger
- Institute of Genetic Epidemiology, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heinz-Erich Wichmann
- Institute of Epidemiology I, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany, Neuherberg, Germany
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- Munich University Hospital, Campus Grosshadern, Munich, Germany
| | - Annette Peters
- Institute of Epidemiology II, Helmholtz Center Munich – German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - André Scherag
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Wilson SE. Marriage, gender and obesity in later life. ECONOMICS AND HUMAN BIOLOGY 2012; 10:431-453. [PMID: 22795874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2012.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 04/28/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
A large body of literature argues that marriage promotes health and increases longevity. But do these benefits extend to maintaining a healthy body weight, as the economic theory of health investment suggests they should? They do not. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), I find that entry into marriage among both men and women aged 51-70 is associated with weight gain and exit from marriage with weight loss. I evaluate three additional theories with respect to the cross-sectional and longitudinal variation in the data. First, it may be that a broader set of shared risk factors (such as social obligations regarding meals) raises body mass for married couples. However, the shared risk factor model predicts that the intra-couple correlation should increase with respect to marital duration. Instead, it declines. Second, scholars have recently promoted a "crisis" model of marriage in which marital transitions, not marital status, determine differences in body mass. The crisis model is consistent with short-term effects seen for divorce, but not for the persistent weight gains associated with marriage or the persistent weight loss following widowhood. And transition models, in general, cannot explain significant cross-sectional differences across marital states in a population that is no longer experiencing many transitions, nor can it account for the prominent gender differences (in late middle-age, the heaviest group is unmarried women and the lightest are unmarried men). Third, I argue that pressures of the marriage market, in combination with gendered preferences regarding partner BMI, can account for all the longitudinal and cross-sectional patterns found in the data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven E Wilson
- 830 SWKT, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, United States.
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Heitmann BL, Westerterp KR, Loos RJF, Sørensen TIA, O'Dea K, McLean P, Jensen TK, Eisenmann J, Speakman JR, Simpson SJ, Reed DR, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Obesity: lessons from evolution and the environment. Obes Rev 2012; 13:910-22. [PMID: 22642554 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2012.01007.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The 9th Stock Conference acknowledged the complex background of genetic, cultural, environmental and evolutionary factors of obesity. Gene-environment interactions underlie the flexibility in body-weight and body-fat regulation, illustrated by the hunter-gatherers' feast and famine lifestyle, the variation in physical activity over the lifespan being highest at reproductive age, the variation in energy intake through 'eating in the absence of hunger', while running the risk of exceeding the capacity of triacylglyceride storage, leading to lipotoxicity and metabolic problems. Perinatal metabolic programming for obesity via epigenetic changes in response to a 'Western diet' results in production of lipid-poor milk and metabolically efficient pups, contributing to the perpetuation of obesity throughout generations. Evolutionary insight from comparative physiology and ecology indicates that over generations activity-induced energy expenditure has remained the same compared to wild mammals, that energy balance might be dependant on protein balance, while the function of taste changed from detection of poison or energy to social drinking and social behaviour. At present, the impact of assortative mating on obesity prevalence is unambiguously positive. The complexity that appeared can only be fully appreciated by setting the data into the context of our evolutionary history.
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Affiliation(s)
- B L Heitmann
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Centre for Health and Society, Copenhagen University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ajslev TA, Angquist L, Silventoinen K, Gamborg M, Allison DB, Baker JL, Sørensen TIA. Assortative marriages by body mass index have increased simultaneously with the obesity epidemic. Front Genet 2012; 3:125. [PMID: 23056005 PMCID: PMC3458436 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic predisposition to obesity may have contributed to the obesity epidemic through assortative mating. We investigated whether spouses were positively assorted by body mass index (BMI; = kg/m(2)) in late childhood, and whether changes in assorted marriage by upper BMI-percentiles occurred during the obesity epidemic. METHODS In the Copenhagen School Health Records Register (CSHRR) boys and girls with measures of BMI at age 13 years later became 37,792 spousal-pairs who married between 1945 and 2010. Trends in the spousal BMI correlations using sex-, age-, and birth cohort-specific BMI z-scores across time were investigated. Odds ratios (ORs) of marriage among spouses both with BMI z-scores >90th or >95th percentile compared with marriage among spouses ≤90th percentile were analyzed for marriages entered during the years prior to (1945-1970), and during the obesity epidemic (1971-2010). FINDINGS Spousal BMI correlations were around 0.05 and stayed similar across time. ORs of marriage among spouses with BMIs >90th percentile at age 13 were 1.21, 1.05-1.39, in 1945-1970, and increased to 1.63, 1.40-1.91, in 1971-2010 (p = 0.006). ORs of marriage among spouses both >95th BMI percentile were higher and increased more; from 1.39, 1.10-1.81, to 2.39, 1.85-3.09 (p = 0.004). INTERPRETATION Spousal correlations by pre-marital BMIs were small and stable during the past 65 years. Yet, there were assorted marriages between spouses with high BMI at age 13 years and the tendency increased alongside with the obesity epidemic which may increase the offsprings' predisposition to obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa A Ajslev
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cizza G, Rother KI. Beyond fast food and slow motion: weighty contributors to the obesity epidemic. J Endocrinol Invest 2012; 35:236-42. [PMID: 22183119 PMCID: PMC3485680 DOI: 10.3275/8182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Decreased physical activity and marketing-driven increased consumption of "junk" food, dubbed "The Big Two", are generally regarded as the most important contributors to the obesity epidemic. However, the full picture contains many more pieces of the puzzle. We address several additional issues and review current clinical developments in obesity research. In spite of dramatic advancements in our understanding of the adipose organ and its endocrine and immune products, the ultimate causes of the obesity epidemic remain elusive. Treatment is plagued by poor adherence to life style modifications, and available pharmacological options are marginally effective, often also associated with major side effects. Surgical treatments, albeit effective in decreasing body weight, are invasive and expensive. Thus, our approaches to finding the causes, improving the existing treatments, and inventing novel therapies must be manifold.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Cizza
- Section on Neuroendocrinology of Obesity, NIDDK, Clinical Center, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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31
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Rokholm B, Silventoinen K, Tynelius P, Gamborg M, Sørensen TIA, Rasmussen F. Increasing genetic variance of body mass index during the Swedish obesity epidemic. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27135. [PMID: 22087252 PMCID: PMC3210134 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 10/11/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is no doubt that the dramatic worldwide increase in obesity prevalence is due to changes in environmental factors. However, twin and family studies suggest that genetic differences are responsible for the major part of the variation in adiposity within populations. Recent studies show that the genetic effects on body mass index (BMI) may be stronger when combined with presumed risk factors for obesity. We tested the hypothesis that the genetic variance of BMI has increased during the obesity epidemic. METHODS The data comprised height and weight measurements of 1,474,065 Swedish conscripts at age 18-19 y born between 1951 and 1983. The data were linked to the Swedish Multi-Generation Register and the Swedish Twin Register from which 264,796 full-brother pairs, 1,736 monozygotic (MZ) and 1,961 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs were identified. The twin pairs were analysed to identify the most parsimonious model for the genetic and environmental contribution to BMI variance. The full-brother pairs were subsequently divided into subgroups by year of birth to investigate trends in the genetic variance of BMI. RESULTS The twin analysis showed that BMI variation could be explained by additive genetic and environmental factors not shared by co-twins. On the basis of the analyses of the full-siblings, the additive genetic variance of BMI increased from 4.3 [95% CI 4.04-4.53] to 7.9 [95% CI 7.28-8.54] within the study period, as did the unique environmental variance, which increased from 1.4 [95% CI 1.32-1.48] to 2.0 [95% CI 1.89-2.22]. The BMI heritability increased from 75% to 78.8%. CONCLUSION The results confirm the hypothesis that the additive genetic variance of BMI has increased strongly during the obesity epidemic. This suggests that the obesogenic environment has enhanced the influence of adiposity related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Rokholm
- Institute of Preventive Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Centre for Health and Society, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
Firstly, essential developmental aspects of the focused periods of life, namely childhood and adolescence, are discussed. Furthermore, different issues of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence are highlighted. Besides the definition and the assessment, possibilities of classification and epidemiological aspects are of interest. Physical and psychiatric consequences, which can be associated with obesity are also presented. In the context of a model of multifactorial genesis of obesity, different causing and maintaining factors are described. In addition to genetic and biological risk factors, the significance of several psychosocial factors is illustrated. Finally, the focus is on the therapy of obesity in childhood and adolescence.
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Hebebrand J, Volckmar AL, Knoll N, Hinney A. Chipping away the 'missing heritability': GIANT steps forward in the molecular elucidation of obesity - but still lots to go. Obes Facts 2010; 3:294-303. [PMID: 20975295 PMCID: PMC6452141 DOI: 10.1159/000321537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although heritability of human body weight is assumed to be high, only a small fraction of the variance can as yet be attributed to molecular genetic factors. Single monogenic forms of obesity have been identified. Functionally relevant coding mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor gene occur in 1-6% of extremely obese children and adolescents and thus represent the most common major gene effect. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) had previously identified 14 obesity loci with genome-wide significant (p < 5 x 10-8) associations. Many of the respective genes are expressed in the central nervous system. The GIANT (Genetic Investigation of ANtropometric Traits) Consortium has now performed a meta-analysis of GWAS data based on 123,865 individuals of European ancestry followed by confirmatory analyses for the 42 best independent loci in up to 125,931 independent individuals (Speliotes et al: Association analyses of 249,796 individuals reveal eighteen new loci associated with body mass index. Nature Genetics; epub October 2010 [1]). Apart from confirming the 14 known loci, 18 novel BMI-associated loci (p < 5 x 10-8) were identified. Several of the new loci point to genes involved in key hypothalamic pathways of energy balance. The identified variants mostly have small to very small effect sizes; only 1-2% of the BMI variance is explained. Currently, a consensus explanation for this 'missing heritability' in complex diseases has not yet emerged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Hebebrand
- *Prof. Dr. Johannes Hebebrand, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstraße 174, 45147 Essen, Germany, Tel: +49 201 7227-465, Fax -302,
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Perrone L, Marzuillo P, Grandone A, del Giudice EM. Chromosome 16p11.2 deletions: another piece in the genetic puzzle of childhood obesity. Ital J Pediatr 2010; 36:43. [PMID: 20540750 PMCID: PMC2903605 DOI: 10.1186/1824-7288-36-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2010] [Accepted: 06/11/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ipercaloric diet and reduced physical activity have driven the rise in the prevalence of childhood obesity over a relatively short time interval. Family and twin studies have led to the conclusion that the strong predictive value of parental body mass index (BMI) mainly stems from genetic rather than environmental factors. Whereas the common polygenic obesity arises when an individual genetic make-up is susceptible to an environment that promotes energy consumption over energy expenditure, monogenic obesity, on the contrary, is the obesity associated with a single gene mutation, which is sufficient by itself to cause weight gain in a food abundant context. Genes involved in the leptin-melanocortin pathway are often mutated in these cases. The cumulative prevalence of monogenic obesity among children with severe obesity is about 5%. Recently, deletions in the region p11.2 of the chromosome 16 encompassing the gene SH2B1, which is involved in the leptin and insulin signaling, have been reported in about 0.5% of children with severe early-onset obesity. These patients show extreme hyperphagia, severe insulin resistance and, in some cases, mild developmental delay.
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Hebebrand J, Bammann K, Hinney A. Genetische Ursachen der Adipositas. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2010; 53:674-80. [DOI: 10.1007/s00103-010-1078-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Hinney A, Vogel CIG, Hebebrand J. From monogenic to polygenic obesity: recent advances. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010; 19:297-310. [PMID: 20127379 PMCID: PMC2839509 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-010-0096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/14/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The heritability of obesity and body weight in general is high. A small number of confirmed monogenic forms of obesity-the respective mutations are sufficient by themselves to cause the condition in food abundant societies-have been identified by molecular genetic studies. The elucidation of these genes, mostly based on animal and family studies, has led to the identification of important pathways to the disorder and thus to a deeper understanding of the regulation of body weight. The identification of inborn deficiency of the mostly adipocyte-derived satiety hormone leptin in extremely obese children from consanguineous families paved the way to the first pharmacological therapy for obesity based on a molecular genetic finding. The genetic predisposition to obesity for most individuals, however, has a polygenic basis. A polygenic variant by itself has a small effect on the phenotype; only in combination with other predisposing variants does a sizeable phenotypic effect arise. Common variants in the first intron of the 'fat mass and obesity associated' gene (FTO) result in an elevated body mass index (BMI) equivalent to approximately +0.4 kg/m(2) per risk allele. The FTO variants were originally detected in a genome wide association study (GWAS) pertaining to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Large meta-analyses of GWAS have subsequently identified additional polygenic variants. Up to December 2009, polygenic variants have been confirmed in a total of 17 independent genomic regions. Further study of genetic effects on human body weight regulation should detect variants that will explain a larger proportion of the heritability. The development of new strategies for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of obesity can be anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Hinney
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, Essen, Germany.
| | - Carla I. G. Vogel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstrasse 174, 45147 Essen, Germany
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McAllister EJ, Dhurandhar NV, Keith SW, Aronne LJ, Barger J, Baskin M, Benca RM, Biggio J, Boggiano MM, Eisenmann JC, Elobeid M, Fontaine KR, Gluckman P, Hanlon EC, Katzmarzyk P, Pietrobelli A, Redden DT, Ruden DM, Wang C, Waterland RA, Wright SM, Allison DB. Ten putative contributors to the obesity epidemic. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2009; 49:868-913. [PMID: 19960394 PMCID: PMC2932668 DOI: 10.1080/10408390903372599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 434] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The obesity epidemic is a global issue and shows no signs of abating, while the cause of this epidemic remains unclear. Marketing practices of energy-dense foods and institutionally-driven declines in physical activity are the alleged perpetrators for the epidemic, despite a lack of solid evidence to demonstrate their causal role. While both may contribute to obesity, we call attention to their unquestioned dominance in program funding and public efforts to reduce obesity, and propose several alternative putative contributors that would benefit from equal consideration and attention. Evidence for microorganisms, epigenetics, increasing maternal age, greater fecundity among people with higher adiposity, assortative mating, sleep debt, endocrine disruptors, pharmaceutical iatrogenesis, reduction in variability of ambient temperatures, and intrauterine and intergenerational effects as contributing factors to the obesity epidemic are reviewed herein. While the evidence is strong for some contributors such as pharmaceutical-induced weight gain, it is still emerging for other reviewed factors. Considering the role of such putative etiological factors of obesity may lead to comprehensive, cause specific, and effective strategies for prevention and treatment of this global epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J McAllister
- Department of Infections and Obesity, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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Padez C, Mourao I, Moreira P, Rosado V. Long sleep duration and childhood overweight/obesity and body fat. Am J Hum Biol 2009; 21:371-6. [PMID: 19189418 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.20884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess the association between short sleep duration and overweight/obesity and body fat (BF) and to identify correlates of short sleep duration in a sample of Portuguese children. A cross-sectional study of children 7-9 years (n = 4511) was performed between October 2002 and June 2003. Weight, height, and skinfolds were measured, and parents filled out a questionnaire about family characteristics as well as sleep duration. The prevalence of overweight/obesity and BF (%) both decreased by long sleep duration. After adjusted for confounders, the odds ratio (OR) for overweight/obesity and sleep duration were as follows: reference >11 h/d; 10-11 h/d, OR: 1.3; confidence interval (CI):1.26, 1.33; 9-10 h/d, OR: 1.16; CI: 1.13, 1.19; and <9 h, OR: 3.22; CI: 3.11, 3.32. Children whose parents had a low educational level slept less time during each night than children whose parents had a higher educational level; children who spent more time watching television slept less time than those who watched less television, and those children engaged in physical activity slept more time each night than sedentary children. Our results showed an inverse relationship between long sleep duration and overweight/obesity prevalence as well as with body fat, and these findings are important because sleep duration is a potentially modifiable risk factor that could be important to consider in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Padez
- Department of Anthropology, Research Centre for Anthropology and Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Abstract
This brief review focuses on the genetic contribution to childhood obesity. Evidence for a genetic component to excess body weight during growth is presented from the perspective of genetic epidemiology studies. Parental obesity is a predictor of childhood excess weight. The familial risk ratio for childhood obesity when a parent is obese reaches >2.5. Birth weight is characterized by a genetic heritability component on the order of 30%, with significant maternal and paternal effects in addition to the newborn genes. About 5% of childhood obesity cases are caused by a defect that impairs function in a gene, and >/=5 of these genes have been uncovered. However, the common forms of childhood obesity seem to result from a predisposition that primarily favors obesogenic behaviors in an obesogenic environment. Candidate gene and genomewide association studies reveal that these obesogenic genes have small effect sizes but that the risk alleles for obesity are quite common in populations. The latter may translate into a highly significant population-attributable risk of obesity. Gene-environment interaction studies suggest that the effects of predisposing genes can be enhanced or diminished by exposure to relevant behaviors. It is possible that the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing across generations as a result of positive assortative mating with obese husbands and wives contributing more obese offspring than normal-weight parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Bouchard
- Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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Vogel CIG, Greene B, Scherag A, Müller TD, Friedel S, Grallert H, Heid IM, Illig T, Wichmann HE, Schäfer H, Hebebrand J, Hinney A. Non-replication of an association of CTNNBL1 polymorphisms and obesity in a population of Central European ancestry. BMC MEDICAL GENETICS 2009; 10:14. [PMID: 19228371 PMCID: PMC2669797 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2350-10-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent genome-wide association (GWA) study of U.S. Caucasians suggested that eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CTNNBL1 are associated with obesity and increased fat mass. We analysed the respective SNPs in data from our previously published GWA for early onset obesity (case-control design), in GWA data from a population-based cohort of adults, and in an independent family-based obesity study. We investigated whether variants in CTNNBL1 (including rs6013029) and in three other genes (SH3PXD2B, SLIT3 and FLJ42133,) were associated with obesity. METHODS The GWA studies were carried out using Affymetrix(R) SNP Chips with approximately 500,000 markers each. In the families, SNP rs6013029 was genotyped using the TaqMan(R) allelic discrimination assay. The German case-control GWA included 487 extremely obese children and adolescents and 442 healthy lean individuals. The adult GWA included 1,644 individuals from a German population-based study (KORA). The 775 independent German families consisted of extremely obese children and adolescents and their parents. RESULTS We found no evidence for an association of the reported variants in CTNNBL1 with early onset obesity or increased BMI. Further, in our family-based study we found no evidence for over-transmission of the rs6013029 risk-allele T to obese children. Additionally, we found no evidence for an association of SH3PXD2B, SLIT3 and FLJ42133 variants in our two GWA samples. CONCLUSION We detected no confirmation of the recent association of variants in CTNNBL1 with obesity in a population of Central European ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla I G Vogel
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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Abstract
Because of its high prevalence and the associated medical and psychosocial risks, research into the causes of childhood obesity has experienced a tremendous upswing. Formal genetic data based on twin, adoption, and family studies lead to the conclusion that at least 50% of the interindividual variance of the body mass index (BMI; defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) is due to genetic factors. As a result of the recent advent of genome-wide association studies, the first polygenes involved in body weight regulation have been detected. Each of the predisposing alleles explain a few hundred grams of body weight. More polygenes will be detected in the near future, thus for the first time allowing in-depth analyses of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. They also will enable developmental studies to assess the effect of such alleles throughout childhood and adulthood. The recent increase in obesity prevalence rates illustrates the extreme relevance of environmental factors for body weight. Similar to polygenes, the effect sizes of most such environmental factors are likely to be small, thus rendering their detection difficult. In addition, the validation of the true causality of such factors is not a straightforward task. Important factors are socioeconomic status and television consumption. The authors conclude by briefly assessing implications for treatment and prevention of childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Rheinische Kliniken Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr, 174, D-45147 Essen, Germany
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Hebebrand J, Herpertz-Dahlmann B. Psychological and psychiatric aspects of pediatric obesity. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2009; 18:49-65. [PMID: 19014857 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2008.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A thorough dealing with psychological and psychiatric aspects of obesity requires careful consideration of causal implications. It is nowadays readily comprehensible that obesity can entail psychiatric symptoms, because stigmatization of obese children and adolescents, including teasing and bullying, is a common event. Sources include peers, teachers, parents, and health care providers. It would indeed seem peculiar if this ongoing and intense stigmatization did not affect mental well-being at a very early stage of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Hebebrand
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Jokela M, Elovainio M, Kivimäki M. Lower fertility associated with obesity and underweight: the US National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 88:886-93. [PMID: 18842772 DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/88.4.886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been hypothesized that body weight predicts the number of children that a person will have: obese and underweight persons are hypothesized to have fewer children than do their normal-weight counterparts. OBJECTIVE We aimed to prospectively examine the association between body weight in young adulthood and achieved fertility in later life. DESIGN A representative national sample of 12 073 American young adults (aged 17-24 y in 1981) were followed through 2004 (19 survey waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth). RESULTS Obese young women and men were less likely to have their first child by the age of 47 y than were their normal-weight counterparts [relative risk (RR) = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.78 in women; RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.66, 0.84 in men). Obesity also predicted a lower probability of having more than one child, particularly for women. These associations were partly explained by a lower probability that obese participants will marry. Underweight men were less likely to have the first, second, third, and fourth child than were normal-weight men (RRs = 0.75-0.88; 95% CIs: 0.61, 0.95). These associations were largely explained by the lower marriage probability of underweight men. Obese women and men and underweight men were less likely to have as many children in adulthood as they had desired as young adults. CONCLUSIONS Obesity may be an important risk factor for lower fertility because of its social and possibly biological effect on reproductive behavior. Further data are needed to assess whether this association holds in more recent cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Jokela
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK.
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Hilbert A, Ried J, Schneider D, Juttner C, Sosna M, Dabrock P, Lingenfelder M, Voit W, Rief W, Hebebrand J. Primary prevention of childhood obesity: an interdisciplinary analysis. Obes Facts 2008; 1:16-25. [PMID: 20054158 PMCID: PMC6444811 DOI: 10.1159/000113598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary prevention of childhood obesity requires combined efforts by stakeholders at various societal levels, based on the knowledge from multiple disciplines. The goal of the present study was therefore to analyze current preventive approaches and delineate implications for future prevention research and practice by integrating knowledge from genetics, law, economics, psychology, and social ethics. Inconclusive evidence on the etiology of obesity, a complex, multifactorial condition, likely complicates prevention, leading to a lack of specificity regarding target groups, focus, and techniques. It is recommended to increase the specificity of prevention by explicitly considering risk factor evidence, including evidence on genetic factors. Because the institutional and legal framework of primary obesity prevention in children is insufficient in many countries, considering the risk factors for childhood obesity is also crucial for establishing a basis for legal regulations. Companies from sectors concerned with food intake and physical activity may be involved in preventive action, e.g., for initiating self-defeating sanctions. Long-term behavior change may be enhanced through the systematic application of behavior modification techniques within primary prevention programs. Overall, an interdisciplinary perspective furthers understanding of the complexity of this condition and can inform public health strategies on the primary prevention of childhood obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Hilbert
- Department of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapy, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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Sex differences in fat storage, fat metabolism, and the health risks from obesity: possible evolutionary origins. Br J Nutr 2007; 99:931-40. [PMID: 17977473 DOI: 10.1017/s0007114507853347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Human beings are susceptible to sustained weight gain in the modern environment. Although both men and women can get fat, they get fat in different ways, and suffer different consequences. We review differences between men and women in the incidence of obesity, fat deposition patterns, fat metabolism, and the health consequences of obesity, and examine potential evolutionary explanations for these differences. Women generally have a larger proportion of body mass as fat, and are more likely to deposit fat subcutaneously and on their lower extremities; men are more likely to deposit fat in the abdominal region. Excess adipose tissue in the abdominal region, especially visceral fat, is associated with more health risks. Women have higher rates of reuptake of NEFA into adipose tissue; however, they also have higher rates of fat oxidation during prolonged exercise. Oestrogen appears to underlie many of these differences. Women bear higher nutrient costs during reproduction. Fat and fertility are linked in women, through leptin. Low leptin levels reduce fertility. Ovarian function of adult women is associated with their fatness at birth. In our evolutionary past food insecurity was a frequent occurrence. Women would have benefited from an increased ability to store fat in easily metabolisable depots. We suggest that the pattern of central obesity, more commonly seen in men, is not adaptive, but rather reflects the genetic drift hypothesis of human susceptibility to obesity. Female obesity, with excess adiposity in the lower extremities, reflects an exaggeration of an adaptation for female reproductive success.
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Jokela M, Kivimäki M, Elovainio M, Viikari J, Raitakari OT, Keltikangas-Järvinen L. Body Mass Index in Adolescence and Number of Children in Adulthood. Epidemiology 2007; 18:599-606. [PMID: 17700249 DOI: 10.1097/ede.0b013e3181257158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Body weight is associated with reproduction and related behaviors, but it is unknown whether it has significance for fertility differences in the general population. We examined whether adolescent body mass index (BMI; kg/m) predicted the number of children in adulthood 21 years later. METHODS The participants were 1298 Finnish women and men (ages 12, 15, and 18 years at baseline) followed in a prospective population-based cohort study (the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns) from year 1980 to 2001. RESULTS There was an inverted J-shaped association between BMI and the number of children, such that underweight adolescents had 10-16% fewer children in adulthood, overweight adolescents 4-8% fewer, and obese adolescents 32-38% fewer than individuals with normal adolescent weight. This association was similar in women and men, and independent of age, education, urbanicity of residence, and timing of menarche (in women). Adolescents with low or high BMI were less likely to have lived with a partner in adulthood, which partly accounted for their decreased number of children. The influence of adolescent BMI was independent of adulthood BMI in women but not in men. Age at menarche also predicted the number of children, such that women with early or late menarche had more children than those with average age at menarche. CONCLUSION Underweight and especially obesity may have a negative impact on fertility in the general population. The increasing prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents may represent a concern for future reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Jokela
- Department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Assortative mating is the nonrandom mating of individuals with respect to phenotype and cultural factors. Previous studies of assortative mating for obesity have indicated that it may have contributed to the obesity epidemic. However, those studies all used body mass index or skinfold thicknesses to measure obesity and did not always account for potential confounding factors. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the level of assortative mating for obesity by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to characterize body composition. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study of 42 couples. RESULTS Raw spousal correlations showed assortative mating for age, weight, body mass index, lean mass, and fat mass. Removing the effect of age on fat mass strengthened the spousal correlation (r = 0.405). Social homogamy did not appear to be important, because in this sample there was no significant effect of area of origin on age-corrected fat and lean tissue masses for either sex. Regional body-composition analysis showed that subjects with disproportionately large arms (both fat and lean) assortatively mated with partners with the same trait. However, both men and women with high lean tissue in their arms assortatively mated with partners that had a disproportionately low fat content in their legs. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm that assortative mating for obesity exists when dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is used to evaluate adiposity. We hypothesize that assortative mating may have contributed to the obesity epidemic because the time course of obesity development has shifted progressively earlier, allowing singles in their late teens and early twenties to more easily distinguish partners with obese and lean phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Speakman
- Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity, Division of Obesity and Metabolic Health, Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom.
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Kaluski DN, Keinan-Boker L, Stern F, Green MS, Leventhal A, Goldsmith R, Chinich A, Berry EM. BMI may overestimate the prevalence of obesity among women of lower socioeconomic status. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007; 15:1808-15. [PMID: 17636100 DOI: 10.1038/oby.2007.215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objective was to examine gender differences in height and weight associated with socioeconomic status (SES) and the consequent effect on body mass index in a multiethnic society. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES A cross-sectional study, the First Israeli National Health and Nutrition Survey, was performed on a representative population sample of 3246 adults 25 to 64 years of age, between the years 1999 to 2001. Height and weight were measured, and BMI and other weight-height indices were calculated. SES was assessed by income and education. RESULTS Age-adjusted height was significantly lower at lower levels of SES among both women and men (p<0.001). As opposed to men, women of lower SES were heavier than those of higher SES, and the mean age-adjusted weight was 4.6 kg higher among those of lower SES (p<0.001). Thus, using the standard index of BMI, the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher among shorter women. DISCUSSION In this group of Israeli adults, the unfavorable effect of low SES on BMI was evident among women, partly due to their decreased height combined with increased weight common in this socioeconomic sector. Since BMI is only partly independent of height, it may overestimate the prevalence of obesity among women of lower SES. Alternative measures for classifying obesity in the lower SES groups that put less emphasis on height may be considered and studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorit Nitzan Kaluski
- Public Health Services, Israeli Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health, Gertner Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Israel 52621
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Kuo PH, Wood P, Morley KI, Madden P, Martin NG, Heath AC. Cohort trends in prevalence and spousal concordance for smoking. Drug Alcohol Depend 2007; 88:122-9. [PMID: 17055671 PMCID: PMC3070597 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2006.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2006] [Revised: 09/04/2006] [Accepted: 09/27/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Evaluation of the pattern of smoking prevalence over time could provide insight for disease prevention and tobacco control policy. Examination of assortative mating is important in assessing the relative contribution of genetic and environmental influences in behavior genetics. A significant spousal concordance for smoking could imply assortative mating behavior and have potential influence on the risk for offspring smoking. Using intergenerational data from large scale adult twin panels in Australia, the present study examined the patterns of prevalence and spousal concordance of lifetime smoking across a wide range of birth cohorts. Data were collected for more than 16,000 twins, their spouses, parents, and parents-reported grandparents. The measurement models were used to calculate prevalence and spousal concordance for smoking. Prevalence of lifetime smoking for females increased significantly over successive cohorts, and was higher for twins (0.28-0.49) than for their parents or grandparents (0.06-0.42). Smoking prevalence was still higher in males than in females for the twins (0.49-0.69), and parental or grandparental (0.62-0.77) generations, but the gender differences largely decreased in younger cohorts. Moderate but significant spousal correlations were found across cohorts and generations, which were higher for twins (0.39-0.55) than for their parents and grandparents (0.19-0.49). Despite using a simplified smoking assessment, findings in this study demonstrated changes of lifetime smoking patterns across birth cohorts and the presence of assortative mating for smoking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po-Hsiu Kuo
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
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Ramlau-Hansen CH, Thulstrup AM, Nohr EA, Bonde JP, Sørensen TIA, Olsen J. Subfecundity in overweight and obese couples. Hum Reprod 2007; 22:1634-7. [PMID: 17344224 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dem035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 283] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies indicate that not only women's but also men's obesity has adverse effects on fecundity and since fecundity is a couple concept, we examined fecundity in relation to overweight and obesity of the couple. We also examined the association between weight changes and fecundity over time. METHODS Between 1996 and 2002, 64 167 pregnant women enrolled in the Danish National Birth Cohort were interviewed during and 18 months after pregnancy. Information on body mass index (BMI) and waiting time to pregnancy (TTP) was available for 47 835 couples. RESULTS Among men and women with a BMI of 18.5 kg/m(2) or more, we found a dose-response relationship between increasing BMI group and subfecundity (a TTP of more than 12 months): Odds ratio (OR) = 1.32 (95% CI: 1.26-1.37) for women and OR = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.14-1.24) for men. Among 2374 women with an initial BMI of 18.5 kg/m(2) or more, who participated more than once in the Danish National Birth Cohort, each kilogram increment in weight between the two pregnancies was associated with a 2.84 (95% CI: 1.33-4.35) days longer TTP. CONCLUSIONS Couples have a high risk of being subfecund if they are both obese.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Ramlau-Hansen
- Department of Epidemiology, UCLA School of Public Health, University of California-Los Angeles, 650 Charles E. Young Drive S., Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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