Could Lifestyle Solutions Improve Obesity Outcomes for Indians?

Hyderabad, July 22 (NationPress) A recent study suggests that lifestyle interventions or targeted nutrient supplementation may prove more effective for Indians predisposed to obesity due to genetic factors.

Research indicates that numerous gene variants linked to obesity in Europeans do not have the same impact on the Indian population, highlighting a distinct obesity pattern among Indians. This study was conducted by scientists at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in Hyderabad.

Furthermore, the Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) for predicting obesity demonstrates greater accuracy in individuals of European descent compared to those of South Asian ancestry, including Indians.

Under the leadership of Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak, CSIR-CCMB researchers analyzed the genomes of the Indian populace, encompassing both diabetic and normoglycemic individuals, followed for nearly two decades. This extensive research provided a unique opportunity to delve into the genetic determinants of obesity in the Indian demographic.

Obesity is a significant health concern in India and South Asia, contributing to diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular issues. The obesity profile in India notably contrasts with that of Europe, as Indians frequently exhibit a higher prevalence of central obesity.

Identifying various genetic modifications associated with obesity, researchers developed a PRS specifically for Indians, effectively creating a ‘virtual individual’ to assess obesity risk. This data set from Indian samples serves to accurately represent the South Asian population in the study, enhancing its relevance.

The scientists also explored how genetic predisposition to obesity correlates with the effectiveness of lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. They found that individuals with a heightened genetic risk responded more favorably to such interventions, although they also experienced quicker weight regain post-intervention.

“These findings mirror earlier research on height, where genetic variants identified in Europeans indicate a lower risk for Indians. It appears that lifestyle, diet, and nutrition may hold equal or greater significance in predicting obesity among Indians. Thus, for this population, lifestyle solutions or precise nutrient supplementation amidst genetic risks may yield superior outcomes,” stated Dr. Chandak.

Previous studies conducted by Dr. Chandak have demonstrated that the genetic foundations of non-communicable diseases differ markedly between Indians and Europeans.

This latest research from CSIR-CCMB is part of a global collaboration involving 600 researchers across 500 institutions, utilizing the largest, most diverse genetic database, including contributions from the GIANT consortium and consumer DNA testing firm 23andMe, covering genetic insights from over 5 million people worldwide, including India.

Employing this data, the researchers created a genetic test named PRS that predicts obesity in adulthood based on early childhood indicators. This breakthrough could facilitate the identification of children and adolescents at an elevated genetic risk for obesity, enabling the implementation of preventive strategies like lifestyle interventions at an earlier stage. This score is twice as effective as previous assessments in forecasting obesity risk.

“The strength of this score lies in its capacity to predict, around age five, the likelihood of a child developing obesity in adulthood, significantly ahead of other risk factors that influence weight as they grow. Early intervention could lead to substantial health benefits,” noted Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, and lead author of the study published in Nature Medicine.