35 Percent of Mexican Young Adults Have Genetic Risk for Obesity

Nearly 35 percent of Mexican young adults may have a genetic predisposition for obesity, according to a news release.

According to Margarita Teran-Garcia, a U of I professor of food science and human nutrition, students who inherited the genetic risk from their parents were nearly 15 ½ pounds heavier and 2 inches bigger around their waist when compared to those who didn't.

The study was based on 251 people belonging to the age group of 18-25. As part of the Up Amigos project in collaboration with researchers at the Mexican University, researchers tested participants for the risk alleles on the FTO gene. They also followed 10,000 yearly applicants to the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi to examine the changes in the participants' body weight, BMI, eating habits, exercise and affect on overall health.

Teran-Garcia claims that the FTO gene is linked with predisposition to obesity-elevated BMI and increased waist circumference. These traits cause cardiovascular diseases and other health problems.

Among the participants, nearly 15 percent of them had inherited genetic risk from both parents, and 20 percent of them had inherited the risk from a single parent. Around 65 percent of the students did not carry any risk allele.

"If young people realize early that they have this predisposition, they can fight against it. If they are at risk for obesity, eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is even more important for them," Teran-Garcia said. "This is the first study to target young adults in Mexico, although one other study has followed older Mexican adults who had already been diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, and obesity-related diseases."

She continues to say that even if the person has inherited the risk, he/she can alter the genes by consuming the right food and involving in more physical activity.

The study was published in the journal Genetics.