Impact of FTO rs9939609 and MC4R rs17782313 on Obesity and BMI Among South Asians: A Random-Effects Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder produced by genetic, environmental, and behavioral influences. South Asians are highly vulnerable to obesity, often developing metabolic dysregulation at lower body mass index levels than other ethnicities. Genetic variations of the FTO and MC4R genes influence energy balance, appetite, and adiposity. This meta-analysis synthesized all available information about two common variants in the FTO gene at rs9939609 and the MC4R gene at rs17782313 to examine their associations with obesity and BMI in the South Asian population. Using a random-effects model to consider interstudy heterogeneity, the pooled analysis showed that risk alleles in these genes confer approximately 38% increased odds of obesity and higher BMI. There was substantial heterogeneity for FTO rs9939609, although there was greater consistency in the effects of MC4R rs17782313. These results have significant implications for population-specific genetic risk profiling and provide a platform for targeted strategies of prevention among South Asians.