Vigorous Physical Activity Reduces Obesity Risk in Genetically Predisposed

Individuals who have a genetic mutation associated with high body mass index (BMI) may be able to offset their increased risk for obesity through vigorous physical activity, according to a study in the September 8 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

Evadnie Rampersaud, PhD, formerly of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, and currently at the University of Miami, Miami, Florida, and colleagues analysed DNA samples of 704 healthy Amish adults (average age 43.6 years, 53% male) recruited from 2003 to 2007. Participants also underwent a series of physiological tests, including a 7-day measurement of physical activity using an accelerometer.

A total of 54% of the men and 63.7% of the women were overweight, and 10.1% of the men and 30.5% of the women were obese. In the genetic analysis, 26 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene were associated with BMI.


FULL STORY at DOCTORS GUIDE