A groundbreaking genetic test has been developed to identify children at a higher risk of obesity in adulthood, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen’s Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) discovered that a polygenic risk score (PGS) can predict severe obesity risk in early childhood, potentially allowing for early intervention strategies.
The PGS, which functions as a ‘calculator,’ combines the impact of various genetic risk variants that an individual may carry. The test can be performed on children as young as 5, before significant weight gain typically begins, according to a press release. The researchers suggest that this could support early prevention strategies, such as lifestyle interventions, to mitigate obesity risks.
Lead study author Roelof Smit, assistant professor at the NNF Center, commented that the score is ‘so powerful’ due to its ability to predict adult obesity ‘well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood.’ He emphasized that intervening at this point could have a significant impact on long-term health outcomes.
The study, an international collaboration involving over 600 scientists from 500 global institutions and the consumer genetics company 23andMe, Inc., analyzed genetic data from more than five million people to create the largest and most diverse genetic dataset in reported history. Using this data, the researchers developed the PGS, which was found to be twice as effective as previous tests in predicting obesity risk, accounting for approximately 17.6% of a child’s risk of developing a high BMI as an adult.
Study co-author Ruth Loos, a professor at the University of Copenhagen, described the new PGS as a ‘dramatic improvement’ in predictive power, bringing the field closer to clinically useful genetic testing. The researchers also found that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity tend to respond more effectively to lifestyle interventions but may regain weight more quickly once these interventions are discontinued.
Despite its promising results, the PGS has its limitations, as it was ‘far better at predicting obesity’ in those of European-like ancestry compared to those with African ancestry. This highlights the need for further research to ensure the test’s effectiveness across diverse populations. The findings underscore the potential of genetic testing in advancing personalized health strategies and early intervention for obesity prevention.