The role of FTO genotype on eating behavior in obese Sardinian children and adolescents

Ibba A;Pilia S;ZAVATTARI, PATRIZIA;Loche A;Guzzetti C;Casini MR;MINERBA, LUIGI;Loche S.

2013-01-01

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Abstract

Aim: We aimed to study the influence of the fat mass and obesity-associated ( FTO ) gene on eating behavior in 412 obese Sardinian children and adolescents. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several susceptibility loci for obesity. Among these, the polymorphisms in the intron 1 of the FTO gene has been found associated to weight gain and obesity in various populations. Methods : All obese patients were genotyped for the FTO single nucleotide polimorphysm (SNP) rs9939609. In all subjects we evaluated eating behavior using the Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Results: We found no differences in eating behavior according to the genotype, either in the entire cohort, or when subjects were subdivided into four different age groups. Conclusions: FTO genotype is associated with body mass index but does not influence eating behavior in a selected cohort of obese children from the isolated genetic population of Sardinia.