Gene Responsible for Obesity Identified

People who have two duplicates of a certain gene show a seventy percent higher risk to become overweight compared to those without two copies of that gene, according to British researchers. This study proved a strong connection between certain genes and obesity.

The study, which involved 5,000 subjects suffering from diabetes, showed that variations of a gene called FTO are associated with increased body mass index (BMI).

The results showed that people who have a single copy of the FTO variation, have a thirty percent higher risk to become overweight, compared to those without the FTO variation. People who have two copies of the FTO gene are almost seven pounds heavier, and have a seventy percent higher risk of obesity than people without any copies of that gene. Researchers say that among white Europeans, almost one of six people carry two copies of the FTO gene.

The FTO gene was discovered by researchers while they studied the DNA of people with type 2 diabetes. Specialists found that one copy of FTO gene may increase the risk to develop type 2 diabetes with twenty-five percent, while two FTO allele may raise the risk by fifty percent.

Although the role of FTO gene is not completely understood, the study`s findings are important because, after further investigations, it may lead to solutions for treating type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or other diseases caused by obesity.