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Snips about SNPs: FTO and your weight

The FTO gene has the unfortunate nickname of the ‘fatso gene’ because several FTO variants are associated with obesity.  Lots of studies link it to being likely to have a higher BMI.[ref][ref]

Of course, this SNP isn’t entirely to blame if you have weight problems. Your dietary choices, activity level, and other genetic variants also come into play. One study shows an association between the FTO SNP and an average increase in weight of 7lbs. Another study linked it to an increase of 1.4 to 2.8 BMI points.[ref][ref]

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Check your genetic data for rs9939609 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA)

  • A/A: higher risk of obesity, increased BMI
  • A/T: increased risk of obesity, increased BMI
  • T/T: typical

Members: Your genotype for rs9939609 is .

 

Want to know more? Get all the details in the full article on the FTO gene.

 

*SNP stands for Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, which is when one of the nucleotide bases (the A, C, G, or Ts) is replaced by a different nucleotide base in a gene. Want to know more about your genes? Read through all the Snips about SNPs


About the Author:
Debbie Moon is the founder of Genetic Lifehacks. Fascinated by the connections between genes, diet, and health, her goal is to help you understand how to apply genetics to your diet and lifestyle decisions. Debbie has a BS in engineering from Colorado School of Mines and an MSc in biological sciences from Clemson University. Debbie combines an engineering mindset with a biological systems approach to help you understand how genetic differences impact your optimal health.