Key Findings
- A study published June 19 in PLOS Genetics found that people with genetic variations linked to obesity have higher body mass index (BMI) if they were born during the obesity epidemic compared to those with the same variants born earlier.
- Researchers from University College London and collaborators analyzed BMI data from four British birth cohorts: those born in 1946, 1958, 1970, and 2001.
- The association between genetic risk and high BMI was stronger in the more recent cohorts (1970 and 2001) than in earlier ones.
- This effect was more pronounced with increasing age and among individuals with higher BMI.
Interpretation
The authors suggest that environmental changes (e.g., rise in processed food and decreased physical activity) may enable greater expression of obesity-related genetic variants. The specific environmental factors responsible remain unclear and require further investigation.
Quote from Authors
"The obesity epidemic has increased BMI regardless of genotype, but it's those most genetically predisposed to high BMI that have been most affected."
Study Details
- Title: Genetic risk for high body mass index before and amidst the obesity epidemic: Cross-cohort analysis of four British birth cohort studies.
- DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1012138
- Funding: Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Norwegian Research Council.