‘Around 30% Indians are at obesity risk'
This finding is part of a global study that offers new genetic insights into obesity and introduces a polygenic risk score (PRS) capable of predicting the likelihood of developing obesity as early as age five. The study involved over 600 scientists across 500 institutions, including researchers from Hyderabad-based CSIR-CCMB.
Led by senior geneticist Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, CSIR-CCMB contributed to ensuring that the genetic data from Indian participants reflected South Asian diversity. Dr Chandak told TNIE, 'The study included four Indian cohorts mainly from Mysuru, Mumbai and Pune, ranging from 2,200 to over 20,000 individuals, many of whom have been followed for nearly two decades. The long-term data allowed researchers to assess how genetics and lifestyle together influence obesity progression over a lifetime.'
The study also found that individuals with a higher genetic risk are more prone to obesity but tend to respond better to lifestyle interventions, although they may regain weight more quickly when those interventions are discontinued.
Indian obesity patterns driven by distinct genetic traits, finds study
The PRS model proved more accurate for people of European ancestry compared to South Asians. The model, created using genetic data from over five million individuals of various backgrounds, was found to be twice as effective as previous models. By integrating the influence of hundreds of thousands of genetic variants, it evaluates an individual's risk of obesity, serving as a robust early-warning tool to inform preventive lifestyle adjustments.
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