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Elucidating pathways to pediatric obesity: a study evaluating obesity polygenic risk scores related to appetitive

Timothy J Renier1, Dabin Yeum2, Jennifer A Emond3,4

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA. Timothy.J.Renier.GR@dartmouth.edu.

International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|September 22, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Genetic obesity risk in children is linked to appetite traits, which partially explain the connection between genetic predisposition and body mass index (BMI). This research clarifies pathways to pediatric obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Obesity Research
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Obesity polygenic risk scores (PRS) explain significant body mass index (BMI) variation.
  • Associations between PRS and children's appetitive traits are not well understood.
  • Understanding these links can illuminate pathways to pediatric obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between obesity polygenic risk scores (PRS) and appetitive traits in children.
  • To investigate the role of appetitive traits in mediating the relationship between genetic obesity risk and BMI.

Main Methods:

  • Included 248 children aged 9-12 years, with DNA genotyping performed.
  • Computed four weighted polygenic risk scores (PRS) for obesity.
  • Assessed appetitive traits using the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire and measured BMI.

Main Results:

  • Positive associations were found between obesogenic appetitive traits and BMI, and between PRS and BMI.
  • Most PRS, particularly a pediatric-specific PRS, were significantly associated with an obesogenic appetite score.
  • Obesogenic appetite score partially mediated the association between PRS and BMI, explaining up to 21.3% of the effect.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic obesity risk significantly predicts children's appetitive traits.
  • Appetitive traits partially mediate the relationship between genetic obesity risk and BMI in children.
  • Findings enhance understanding of the complex pathways contributing to pediatric obesity.
Abstract

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