Exercise Can Fight Effects of Obesity Genes

A group led by researchers from McMaster University and McGill University has found that leading a physically active lifestyle can help patients with a genetic disposition to obesity to dull the effects of these inherited obesity genes.

Investigators recruited approximately 17,400 individuals from 6 ethnic groups—African, European, Latin American, Native North American, East Asian, and South Asian—throughout 17 countries. The team followed these participants for more than 3 years, examining data and measuring the impact of 14 obesity-predisposing genes. The authors found that physical activity can lessen the effect of the FTO gene—commonly identified as a significant contributor to obesity—by as much as 75%.
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The quantification of a genetic predisposition to obesity is “in its infancy, so I'm not sure these patients would be identified to a primary care practitioner at all,” says James C. Engert, PhD, an associate professor in the departments of medicine and human genetics at McGill University’s division of cardiology, and a co-author of the study.

“On the other hand,” continues Engert, “physical activity has many benefits outside of its direct impact on adiposity, and thus should be recommended anyway, and for everyone.”

The long-term outcomes of this type of research “may be the generalization of early genetic testing and personalized prevention and care based on the genetic profile,” adds David Meyre, PhD, an associate professor in the department of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics at McMaster University, and another study co-author.

“This may take time,” he says, “so, in between, the take-out message for primary care practitioners is that prescribing a higher level of physical activity, especially at an early age, may be more beneficial for patients with a strong familial background of obesity.”

—Mark McGraw

Reference

Reddon H, Gerstein H, et al. Physical activity and genetic predisposition to obesity in a multiethnic longitudinal study. Scientific Reports. 2016.