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Related Concept Videos

Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

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Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
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Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
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Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
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Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when...
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When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Gene-Environment Interplay Between Residential Walkability and BMI: A Finnish Twin Study.

Zhiyang Wang1, Bram Berntzen2,3,4, Nishit Patel2,3,4

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Genetic influences on BMI are moderated by neighborhood walkability. Improving environmental walkability may help reduce obesity risk, even with genetic predispositions.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Human Genetics
  • Environmental Health
  • Obesity Research

Background:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors.
  • The obesogenic environment, characterized by features like walkability, plays a significant role in BMI.
  • Understanding gene-environment interplay is crucial for effective obesity prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between residential walkability, genetic factors, and BMI.
  • To examine how genetic and environmental influences on BMI vary across different levels of neighborhood walkability.
  • To analyze data from 4312 individuals across two Finnish twin cohorts.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified residential walkability using a composite index of built and natural environmental features.
  • Employed multiple linear regression, adjusted for sociodemographic factors.
  • Utilized pairwise twin analyses and univariate/bivariate moderation twin modeling.

Main Results:

  • Higher residential walkability was associated with lower BMI, but this link was influenced by genetic and shared environmental factors.
  • Additive genetic effects explained 22% of walkability variation in middle-aged participants.
  • Genetic influence on BMI was stronger in areas with average or low walkability; unique environmental factors were more influential in very low or very high walkability areas.

Conclusions:

  • Findings highlight a complex gene-environment interplay between walkability and BMI.
  • While genetic susceptibility is immutable, public health initiatives targeting environmental factors like walkability can mitigate obesity risk.
  • Environmental modifications in urban planning may offer a viable strategy for public health interventions against obesity.