Newly Identified Genetic Factor in Weight

Whereas a number of studies report that dietary calcium can exert a beneficial change in body weight and waist circumference, the data has been inconsistent.  Sofus C Larsen, from Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals (Denmark), and colleagues explored whether this relation could depend on genetic predisposition to obesity.  The team completed a meta-analysis of three published studies involving 7,569 men and women, in which they analyzed diet, 54 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference or waist-hip ratio.  The analysis revealed a significant association between body weight and increasing calcium intakes – independent of SNPs.  Further, the researchers observed a significant interaction between calcium and waist circumference associated SNPs in relation to changes in waist circumference.   The study authors write that: “calcium may reduce [waist circumference] among people genetically predisposed to a high [waist circumference].