Genetic Variance of BMI and Obesity Prevalence
Author Information
Author(s): Rokholm Benjamin, Silventoinen Karri, Ängquist Lars, Skytthe Axel, Kyvik Kirsten Ohm, Sørensen Thorkild I. A.
Primary Institution: Institute of Preventive Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital
Hypothesis
A higher prevalence of obesity and overweight and a higher BMI mean is associated with a larger genetic variation in BMI.
Conclusion
The results suggest that the genetic variation in BMI increases as the prevalence of obesity, prevalence of overweight, and the BMI mean increases.
Supporting Evidence
- The size of additive genetic variation was positively associated with obesity prevalence.
- The average genetic standard deviation was around 3 units for the whole population.
- A one percentage point increase in obesity prevalence is associated with a 3.3% increase in genetic standard deviation.
Takeaway
This study found that when more people are obese, the genetic differences in body weight also become larger.
Methodology
The study analyzed self-reported height and weight from two Danish twin surveys and calculated genetic and environmental variance components of BMI using a classical twin design.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the exclusion of opposite sex twin pairs and those with extreme BMI values.
Limitations
Only 47% of individuals from the total sample were included in the analyses, and self-reported height and weight may lead to inaccuracies.
Participant Demographics
The study included monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs from Denmark, born between 1931 and 1982.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.001 for obesity prevalence, p=0.015 for mean BMI, p=0.177 for overweight prevalence
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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