A common variant in the FTO locus is associated with waist-hip ratio in Indian adolescents

Pediatr Obes. 2013 Jun;8(3):e45-9. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2013.00118.x. Epub 2013 Feb 28.

Abstract

Background: Common variants in the FTO locus, and near MC4R locus, have been shown to have a robust association with obesity in children and adults among various ethnic groups. Associations with obesity traits among Indian adolescents have not been determined.

Objective: To study the association of rs9939609 (FTO) and rs17782313 (MC4R) to obesity related anthropometric traits in Indian adolescents.

Methods: Subjects for the current study were recruited from a cross-sectional cohort of 1,230 adolescents (age mean ± SD: 17.1 ± 1.9 years) from South India.

Results: The variant at the FTO locus was found to be associated with waist-hip ratio (WHR) but not with overall obesity in this population. No significant association was observed for obesity-traits and Mc4R variant rs17782313.

Conclusion: The common variant of FTO (rs9939609) is associated with body fat distribution during early growth in Indian adolescents and may predispose to obesity and metabolic consequences in adulthood.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet*
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Genetic Variation
  • Humans
  • India / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Obesity / ethnology
  • Obesity / genetics*
  • Phenotype
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 / genetics*
  • Waist-Hip Ratio

Substances

  • Proteins
  • Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4
  • Alpha-Ketoglutarate-Dependent Dioxygenase FTO
  • FTO protein, human