Physical Activity Attenuates the Impact of FTO Variant on Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference

Objective: This study was carried out on different populations of genetic and physical conditions to confer the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC).And on this basis,this study observes the impact of the changes of FTO gene polymorphism of people with different levels of physical activity on the body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC),so as to understand the interaction of genetic and environmental effects on physical condition,and provide theoretical guidance of developing physical health research.Method: The FTO variant rs1121980 was genotyped in 20,774 participants(39~79 y of age) from the Han population in Northern China,an ethnically homogeneous population based cohort physical activity(PA) was assessed with a validated self reported questionnaire.The interaction between rs1121980 and PA on body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC) was examined by including the interaction term in mixed effect models.Result: It confirmed that the risk(T) allele of rs1121980 was significantly associated with BMI and WC.The PA level attenuated the effect of rs1121980 on body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC);Conclusion: the results showed that PA attenuates the effect of the FTO rs1121980 genotype on body mass index(BMI) and waist circumference(WC).This observation has important public health implications because it shown that a genetic susceptibility to obesity induced by FTO variation can be overcome,at least to some extent,by adopting a physically active lifestyle.