A study conducted by 25 university researchers
Chileans and foreigners, found that 29.9% of the Chilean adult population
has a defective gene that is susceptible to overweight and fat gain
the belly The gene, called FTO (fat mass-associated gene), is one of the most common
studied in relation to the 97 related to obesity that have been
discovered since it was sequenced in the human genome.
The research, by the Elhoc group ((Epidemiology of
Lifestyle and health outcomes in Chile), analyzed 409 people who belonged
to the Genadio Study group (Genes, Environment, Diabetes and Obesity) for those who
In 2009 and 2011 they underwent a genetic evaluation for the
prevalence of risk factors. In addition, weight assessments have been carried out,
size, belly fat, waist circumference, among others.
The researchers explained that all human beings
they have the FTO gene, the difference is that some people are born with the gene
protector and others at risk. In the case of Chile, 3 out of 10 people would carry
the risky variant.
On the other hand, people who have two defective copies
of the gene (inherited by father and mother) increases the risk of overweight
in 38% and suffering from obesity at 67%. They also have 3.2 cm more of it
waist circumference and 4 kilos more
of weight than those who do not have the faulty version. On the other hand
people with only one copy of the risk, increase by 2.1 pounds of overweight and
1.6 the waist circumference.
The defective copy of the FTO gene can also be linked
to lipid metabolism and insulin resistance, indicating a link
with type 2 diabetes.
The Elhoc group consists of researchers from the
national universities, U. Austral, U de Concepción, U. de Chile, U. San Sebastián,
U. Santo Tomás, Catholic U. of the Santísima Concepción; and the foreign, U.
from Glasgow (United Kingdom) and U. del Rosario (Colombia).
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