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Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Indian genetics demand tailored obesity solutions, finds new global study led by CSIR-CCMB
A recent international study led by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in Hyderabad has revealed that lifestyle-based interventions or targeted nutrient supplementation could be more effective for Indians at genetic risk of obesity than generic global approaches. The research highlights a significant genetic variation in obesity risk between Indian and European populations, underlining the need for culturally and biologically relevant health strategies. The study, spearheaded by Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak and his team at CSIR-CCMB, forms part of a major global research initiative involving 600 scientists from over 500 institutions. Drawing on genetic data from more than 5 million individuals, including inputs from the GIANT consortium and 23andMe, the study explored how genetic and lifestyle factors combine to influence obesity. A key finding of the study was that the widely used Polygenic Risk Score (PRS)—a genetic test designed to predict obesity—performs more accurately in populations of European ancestry than in those with South Asian ancestry, including Indians. While many obesity-related gene variants identified in Europeans were also tested on Indian samples, most showed limited predictive power, reaffirming the unique nature of Indian genetic makeup. To dig deeper, the researchers analysed genome data from Indian individuals—both diabetics and non-diabetics—who have been monitored over the past two decades. They discovered a distinct pattern of central or abdominal obesity in Indians, unlike the more generalized obesity seen in Western populations. Interestingly, individuals with higher genetic risk for obesity responded better to lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise. However, they were also more prone to weight regain once those interventions ended. 'This finding mirrors earlier studies on height, where European genetic markers had limited applicability to Indians. It appears that diet, nutrition, and environment might play an equally, if not more, critical role in determining obesity in Indians,' said Dr. Chandak. Using Indian genomic data, the team developed a more region-specific PRS to model obesity risk and improve early detection, especially among children. The refined model can predict adulthood obesity by the age of five, making it twice as effective as older models. This breakthrough could enable early preventive measures among genetically vulnerable children, a move that could significantly reduce the burden of obesity-linked diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in India. 'This is not just a test. It's a predictive tool for proactive care,' said Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the global study, published in Nature Medicine. 'By identifying risk early, especially before lifestyle habits solidify, we can dramatically improve health outcomes.' The findings reiterate that while genetics do play a role, customised lifestyle strategies are critical for Indian populations. The future of obesity prevention in India may rest in precision medicine, where treatment plans are based not just on global data but on uniquely Indian insights.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Int'l genetic study predicts childhood obesity risk using Indian data
Cleared: dk Hyderabad: In a major study, an international team of over 600 scientists from 500 institutions developed a genetic test — polygenic risk score (PRS) — which can predict adult obesity as early as age five. The study analysed data from over five million (50 lakh) individuals worldwide, with significant representation from India. Scientists from city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) played a key role in characterising the genomes of Indian individuals, including those monitored for diabetes over the long term. The south Asian data shaped PRS, making the findings especially relevant to the Indian context, where obesity-related disorders like diabetes and cardiovascular disease are on the rise. The tool, shown to be twice as effective as previous models, offers the potential for early lifestyle interventions in genetically high-risk children. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad CCMB researchers on Tuesday said that obesity increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, poor bone health, reproductive problems, and cancers. Scientists worldwide worked with the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever assembled, which included genetic data from the GIANT consortium and the consumer DNA testing company 23andMe. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo In a statement, CCMB said: "The PRS discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. Additionally, this score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person's risk of developing obesity." "What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood — well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact," University of Copenhagen's NNF Center for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) assistant professor Roelof Smit, who is the lead author of the research published in the journal 'Nature Medicine', said. Indian Representation in the Study The pattern of obesity in India differs notably from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Earlier studies by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak at CCMB showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. In the latest study, researchers at CCMB, led by Dr Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population, including individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels. These individuals were followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop PRS for Indians, effectively creating a "virtual individual" to model obesity risk. The Indian data served as a representative subset for the South Asian population in the global study, making the findings more applicable to India and neighbouring countries. The researchers also examined the link between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the effectiveness of lifestyle-based weight-loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They found that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions — but also tended to regain weight more quickly once those interventions ended. The study further highlights the role of population ancestry in predicting obesity risk. Despite using a globally representative dataset, PRS performed more accurately in individuals of European ancestry than in those of other ancestries, including South Asians. Many gene variants associated with obesity in Europeans do not have the same effect in Indians, reflecting the unique pattern of obesity observed in the Indian population. "The observations made in this study are consistent with our earlier findings," Dr Chandak noted.
India.com
23-07-2025
- Health
- India.com
Genetic Risk Of Obesity In Indians Differs From Europeans: Study Reveals Why Lifestyle Changes Work Better
Hyderabad: Lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation might yield better results for Indians with genetic risk of obesity, reveals a study. Many gene variants previously associated with obesity in Europeans do not affect Indians similarly, which resonates with a different pattern of obesity in Indians, according to the findings of the study by researchers at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad. The study also revealed that Polygenic Risk Score (PSR) predicts obesity more accurately in people with European-like ancestry than in those with other ancestries, including Indians (South Asian ancestry) Researchers at CSIR-CCMB, led by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population. They included individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels, who have been followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Obesity is a grave problem in India and other parts of South Asia, given their incidences of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The pattern of obesity in India is notably different from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop the PRS for Indians, effectively creating a 'virtual individual' to model obesity risk. This data from Indian samples has served as a representative for the South Asian population in the study. Through this data, the study's findings become more relevant for the Indian and South Asian populations. The scientists also examined the connection between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They discovered that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions but also regained weight more quickly once the interventions ended. 'The observations made from this study are similar to the earlier results on height, where genetic variants identified in Europeans predicted lower risk in Indians, and environment-related modifications of genes play a larger role. It looks like lifestyle, diet and nutrition might be playing an equal or more important role in predicting obesity in Indians. So, for Indians, lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation in the background of genetic risk might yield better results,' said Dr Chandak. Earlier studies by Dr Chandak showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. The latest study by researchers at CSIR-CCMB is part of a global study. An international team of 600 researchers across 500 institutions drew on the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever, including genetic data from the GIANT consortium and consumer DNA testing firm 23andMe. This provided access to genetic information from over 5 million people from different countries, including India. Using this data, the researchers developed a genetic test called PRS that predicts adulthood obesity in early childhood. This discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. This score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person's risk of developing obesity. 'What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood, well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact,' says Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research that was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
New Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘Around 30% Indians are at obesity risk'
HYDERABAD: Long-term tracking of thousands of healthy Indian individuals has revealed that 25% to 30% became obese by adulthood, even though they showed no signs of the condition at the beginning. 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.
New Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Around 30 per cent of Indians at risk of obesity: CCMB Study
HYDERABAD: Long-term tracking of thousands of healthy Indian individuals has revealed that 25 per cent to 30 per cent became obese by adulthood, even though they showed no signs of the condition at the beginning. 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 Mysore, 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.
