Using a sibling-adoption design to parse genetic and environmental influences on children's body mass index (BMI).

ABSTRACT: Dietary and physical activity behaviors formed early in life can increase risk for childhood obesity and have continued negative consequences for lifelong health. Previous research has highlighted the importance of both genetic and environmental (e.g., cultural environment or parental lifestyle) contributions to obesity risk, although these studies typically involve genetically-related individuals residing in the same household, where genetic similarity and rearing environment are inextricably linked. Here we utilize a sibling-adoption design to independently estimate genetic and environmental contributions to obesity risk in childhood and describe how these influences might vary as children age. As part of a prospective adoption study, the current investigation used data from biological s

SUBMITTER: Tavalire HF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7371159 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature