FTO Gene Variants Linked to Obesity
Author Information
Author(s): Price R Arlen, Li Wei-Dong, Zhao Hongyu
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Hypothesis
Can FTO gene SNPs distinguish between extremely obese individuals and normal weight controls?
Conclusion
The study found significant associations between FTO gene variants and obesity risk.
Supporting Evidence
- The study detected highly significant associations of obesity with alleles in all three SNPs.
- The strongest association was with rs1421085.
- A subset of cases had extremely discordant sisters with BMI<25 kg/m2.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at genes to see if they could find out why some people are very obese while others are not, and they found some important clues.
Methodology
The study examined three SNPs in 583 extremely obese women and 544 normal weight controls.
Potential Biases
The study may have bias due to the selection of non-Hispanic Caucasian participants.
Limitations
The sample size for discordant siblings may be too small for definitive conclusions.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 583 extremely obese women and 544 normal weight controls, all non-Hispanic Caucasians.
Statistical Information
P-Value
3.04 × 10-10
Confidence Interval
1.47–2.08
Statistical Significance
p < 10-9
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website