Weight-Loss Interventions Are Successful Despite Obesity-Related Genes

Obese and overweight individuals who carry the high-risk fat mass- and obesity-associated (FTO) genotype respond as well to dietary-based, fitness-based, or drug-based interventions as those with low-risk genes, according to a new meta-analysis.

To assess the effect of the FTO genotype on weight loss, the researchers reviewed and analyzed data from 9563 overweight or obese participants enrolled in 8 randomized controlled trials that reported a reduction in body mass index (BMI), body weight, or waist circumference by FTO genotype after intervention.
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The researchers compared the results of participants with the high-risk FTO genotype with those of participants with low-risk genes.

Initial analysis showed that changes in BMI, body weight, and waist circumference after the interventions were not significantly different between FTO genotypes. The mean difference between high-risk and low-risk participants’ BMI was -0.02, body weight was -0.04 kg, and waist circumference was -0.06 cm.

Sensitivity analysis confirmed that changes did not differ by weight-loss intervention type or length, ethnicity, sample size, sex, baseline BMI, and age.

“We have observed that carriage of the FTO minor allele was not associated with differential change in adiposity after weight loss interventions,” the researchers concluded.

“These findings show that individuals carrying the minor allele respond equally well to dietary, physical activity, or drug based weight loss interventions and thus genetic predisposition to obesity associated with the FTO minor allele can be at least partly counteracted through such interventions.”

—Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Livingstone KM, Celis-Morales C, Papandonatos GD, et al. FTO genotype and weight loss: systematic review and meta-analysis of 9563 individual participant data from eight randomised controlled trials [published online September 20, 2016]. BMJ. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4707.