A common genetic variant is associated with adult and childhood obesity

Alan Herbert, Norman P. Gerry, Matthew B. McQueen, Iris M. Heid, Arne Pfeufer, Thomas Illig, H. Erich Wichmann, Thomas Meitinger, David Hunter, Frank B. Hu, Graham Colditz, Anke Hinney, Johannes Hebebrand, Kerstin Koberwitz, Xiaofeng Zhu, Richard Cooper, Kristin Ardlie, Helen Lyon, Joel N. Hirschhorn, Nan M. LairdMarc E. Lenburg, Christoph Lange, Michael F. Christman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

591 Scopus citations

Abstract

Obesity is a heritable trait and a risk factor for many common diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. We used a dense whole-genome scan of DNA samples from the Framingham Heart Study participants to identify a common genetic variant near the INSIG2 gene associated with obesity. We have replicated the finding in four separate samples composed of individuals of Western European ancestry, African Americans, and children. The obesity-predisposing genotype is present in 10% of individuals. Our study suggests that common genetic polymorphisms are important determinants of obesity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-283
Number of pages5
JournalScience
Volume312
Issue number5771
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 14 2006

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