a Genetic testing It can predict whether a child will become obese as an adult.
A global study published in the journal Nature Medicine found risks Severe obesity In adulthood, it can be identified in early childhood through a polygenic risk score (PGS).
PGS, according to researchers, acts as a “computer” that combines the effects of various genetic risk mutations that humans can carry.
Your DNA may be stopping you from losing weight, new research suggests
The test can be done before your weight begins to change at age 5, according to a press release from the CBMR, the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR), at the University of Copenhagen.
Researchers suggest that this may support early prevention strategies for obesity. Lifestyle intervention At a young age.
“Overall, these data indicate that PGS may improve obesity predictions, especially when implemented early in life,” the researchers concluded in their study.
Roelof Smitt, an assistant professor at the NNF Center, wrote in a statement in a press release that the score is “very powerful” because of its ability to predict obesity in adults.
“Interventing at this point could have a huge impact,” he commented.
The main research was international human cooperation. Genetics researchermore than 600 scientists from 500 global institutions, and consumer genetics and research company 23andme, Inc. It is composed of.
After collecting genetic data from over 5 million people, scientists have created what is described as the largest and most diverse Genetic data set In reported history, we use it to create a PGS.
The results showed that PGS is twice as effective as previous best tests in predicting obesity risk, accounting for approximately 17.6% of the risk of developing high BMI (body mass index) as adults.
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“This new polygenic score is a dramatic improvement in predictive power, a leap in genetic prediction of obesity risk, and brings us closer to clinically useful genetic testing,” said Ruth Loos, professor of CBMR at the University of Copenhagen, in a statement.
Scientists also found that people at a higher genetic risk for obesity are more sensitive Lifestyle weight loss intervention.
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These individuals gained weight faster once the intervention was completed.
Researchers noted that new PGS has that limitation, as people with European ancestry are “a lot better at predicting obesity” than those with African ancestors.
