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Genetic factors in obesity.
1Physical Activity Sciences Laboratory, PEPS, Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada.
The Medical Clinics of North America
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Biological inheritance significantly influences human body fat, particularly fat mass and distribution, with genetic factors impacting resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure. Individual responses to overfeeding and physical activity also show genetic components.
Area of Science:
- Human genetics
- Obesity research
- Metabolic studies
Background:
- Human body-fat variation is influenced by complex biological factors.
- Understanding the genetic basis of body fat is crucial for addressing obesity.
- Previous research has explored genetic contributions to fat accumulation and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the role of biological inheritance in human body-fat variation.
- To elucidate the contributions of additive genetic effects and genotype-environment interactions.
- To examine genetic influences on fat mass, distribution, metabolic rate, and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data on genetic effects on body fat.
- Analysis of additive genetic effects and genotype-environment interactions.
- Examination of genetic contributions to subcutaneous fat, fat mass, visceral fat, and regional fat distribution.
Main Results:
- Additive genetic effects on subcutaneous fat are low, but higher for fat mass and regional distribution (25-30%).
- Visceral fat appears more genotype-influenced than subcutaneous fat.
- Genotype-overfeeding interactions suggest genotype-dependent sensitivity to overfeeding.
- Genetics accounts for >=40% of individual differences in resting metabolic rate (RMR), thermic effect of meals (TEM), and total energy expenditure (TEE).
- Slight genetic effects are observed for dietary composition and habitual physical activity levels.
Conclusions:
- Biological inheritance plays a significant role in human body-fat variation.
- Genetic factors influence fat distribution, metabolic rate, and energy expenditure.
- Future research will likely identify genetic markers for obesity phenotypes.