Genes 'identified' in common childhood obesity

Washington: Scientists have identified two new genes that increase the risk of common childhood obesity, a finding which may pave the way for preventive interventions and treatments for kids based on their individual genomes.Previous researches have identified gene variants contributing to obesity in adults and in children with extreme obesity, but relatively less is known about genes implicatedin regular childhood obesity.[caption id="attachment_270048" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Reuters"][/caption]Now, a team at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia claims it has found two novel loci, one near OLFM4 gene on chromosome 13, the other within the HOXB5 gene on chromosome17, the 'Nature Genetics' journal reported."This is the largest-ever genome-wide study of common childhood obesity, in contrast to previous studies that have focused on more extreme forms of obesity primarily connectedwith rare disease syndromes."As a consequence, we have definitively identified and characterised a genetic predisposition to common childhood obesity," said Struan Grant, who led the team.In their research, the scientists analysed previous studies supported by many other European, Australian and North American organisations. The current meta-analysis included 14 previous studies encompassing 5,530 cases of childhood obesityand 8,300 control subjects, all of European ancestry.Apart from identifying the two novel loci, they also found a degree of evidence for two other gene variants. None of the genes were previously implicated in obesity."We have recruited and genotyped the world's largest collection of DNA from children with common obesity. The known biology of three of the genes hints at a role of the intestine although their precise functional role in obesity is currentlyunknown. This work opens up new avenues to explore genetics of common childhood obesity," Grant said.PTI