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Ethnic and population differences in the genetic predisposition to human obesity
Author(s) -
Stryjecki C.,
Alyass A.,
Meyre D.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
obesity reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.845
H-Index - 162
eISSN - 1467-789X
pISSN - 1467-7881
DOI - 10.1111/obr.12604
Subject(s) - ethnic group , obesity , genetic predisposition , medicine , heritability , race (biology) , population , missing heritability problem , demography , gerontology , environmental health , genetics , biology , disease , genetic variants , genotype , pathology , gene , anthropology , sociology , botany
Summary Obesity rates have escalated to the point of a global pandemic with varying prevalence across ethnic groups. These differences are partially explained by lifestyle factors in addition to genetic predisposition to obesity. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the ethnic differences in the genetic architecture of obesity. Using examples from evolution, heritability, admixture, monogenic and polygenic studies of obesity, we provide explanations for ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity. The debate over definitions of race and ethnicity, the advantages and limitations of multi‐ethnic studies and future directions of research are also discussed. Multi‐ethnic studies have great potential to provide a better understanding of ethnic differences in the prevalence of obesity that may result in more targeted and personalized obesity treatments.