Genetic markers of obesity risk: stronger associations with body composition in overweight compared to normal-weight children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Genetic factors are important determinants of overweight. We examined whether there are differential effect sizes depending on children's body composition.

Methods

We analysed data of n = 4,837 children recorded in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), applying quantile regression with sex- and age-specific standard deviation scores (SDS) of body mass index (BMI) or with body fat mass index and fat-free mass index at 9 years as outcome variables and an "obesity-risk-allele score" based on eight genetic variants known to be associated with childhood BMI as the explanatory variable.

Results

The quantile regression coefficients increased with increasing child's BMI-SDS and fat mass index percentiles, indicating larger effects of the gen

SUBMITTER: Beyerlein A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3078148 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature