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BMC Medical Genetics
Published in: BMC Medical Genetics 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research article

Association between a frequent variant of the FTO gene and anthropometric phenotypes in Brazilian children

Authors: Carmela Farias da Silva, Marília Remuzzi Zandoná, Márcia Regina Vitolo, Paula Dal Bó Campagnolo, Liane Nanci Rotta, Silvana Almeida, Vanessa Suñé Mattevi

Published in: BMC Medical Genetics | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Our goal was to analyze the association of the fat mass and obesity- associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 variant (T/A) with the anthropometric and dietary intake phenotypes related to obesity in Brazilian children.

Methods

We analyzed the association of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with phenotypes related to the accumulation of body mass in a cohort of 348 children followed from the time of birth until 8 years old and then replicated the main findings in an independent schoolchildren sample (n = 615).

Results

At the age of 4, we observed a significant association between the A/A genotype and a higher mean BMI Z-score (P = 0.036). At the age of 8, the A/A individuals still presented with a higher BMI Z-score (P = 0.011) and with marginal differences in the volume of subcutaneous fat (P = 0.048). We replicated these findings in the schoolchildren sample, which showed that those with at least one copy of the A allele presented with a higher BMI Z-score (P = 0.029) and volume of subcutaneous fat (P = 0.016).

Conclusion

Our results indicate that this FTO variant is associated with increased body mass and subcutaneous fat in Brazilian children beginning at the age of 4.
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Metadata
Title
Association between a frequent variant of the FTO gene and anthropometric phenotypes in Brazilian children
Authors
Carmela Farias da Silva
Marília Remuzzi Zandoná
Márcia Regina Vitolo
Paula Dal Bó Campagnolo
Liane Nanci Rotta
Silvana Almeida
Vanessa Suñé Mattevi
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Medical Genetics / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2350-14-34

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