SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO OBESITY

PRELIMS BITS 

• Study Overview: Recent research involving 6,400 schoolchildren in India highlights the complex relationship between genetic factors and socioeconomic status in childhood obesity. Led by Jawaharlal Nehru University’s School of Biotechnology, the study focuses on non-Caucasian populations.
• Study Methodology:
  • The research used two approaches: a Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) with 5,673 children and an Exome-wide Association Study (ExWAS) with 4,963 children.
  • GWAS identified common genetic variants linked to obesity, while ExWAS revealed additional associations related to BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.
• Genetic Findings:
  • Two known obesity-related genes (TCF7L2 and CDC5L) were identified.
  • Other novel genes like SNTG1 and MX1 were linked to triglyceride levels and thyroid pathways.
• Socioeconomic Status Impact:
  • Children from urban private schools exhibited higher obesity rates due to diets rich in processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.
  • Rural children, while more active, faced nutritional deficiencies.
• Gene-Environment Interaction:
  • The study emphasized how socioeconomic factors modify genetic predispositions to obesity, with children from wealthier backgrounds being more prone to obesity despite similar genetic risks.
• Health Implications: The findings stress the need for public health strategies that address both genetic and environmental factors to effectively tackle childhood obesity. Tailored interventions can be more impactful in combating this health issue.