Research
Energy balance
Common genetic variants in the FTO gene (specifically rs9939609) are associated with a modest increase in BMI and a higher risk of obesity, primarily by influencing energy intake and satiety rather than physical activity.
If you carry the FTO risk variant, be aware that it may predispose you to higher energy intake and lower satiety. Focus on managing portion sizes and food quality, as your genetic risk is linked to how much you eat, not how much you move.
StrongQualifiesHIGH confidence
Common variants in the first intron of the 'fat mass and obesity associated' gene (FTO) result in an elevated body mass index (BMI) equivalent to approximately +0.4 kg/m2 per risk allele... FTO risk variants were not associated with energy intake or physical activity [in children]... However, association was found between FTO risk variants and increased energy intake in adults and decreased satiety, but not for energy expenditure or physical activity.
Why this rating
Based on large-scale GWAS and meta-analyses involving tens of thousands of individuals, providing robust statistical evidence.
Source
From monogenic to polygenic obesity: recent advances
Anke Hinney et al. · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · 2010
DOI 10.1007/s00787-010-0096-6
narrative_reviewCited 245×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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