Research
Adherence
FTO gene variants are associated with increased energy intake rather than energy expenditure, leading to a 3-4 kg higher body weight and 1.67-fold increased obesity risk in homozygotes.
If you have the FTO risk variant, be aware that you may have a genetic predisposition to eat more. Focus on managing energy intake through mindful eating strategies.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Several human studies have demonstrated an association between SNPs in FTO and energy intake rather than energy expenditure. Homozygotes for the risk allele of the most common SNP in FTO are 3–4 kg heavier than those without the risk allele and have a 1.67-fold increased risk of obesity.
Why this rating
Based on GWAS studies with consistent findings across populations.
Source
Genetic approaches to understanding human obesity
Shwetha Ramachandrappa et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 2011
DOI 10.1172/jci46044
narrative_reviewCited 193×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Congenital leptin deficiency causes severe early-onset obesity driven by hyperphagia and impaired satiety, which is reversible with daily recombinant human leptin injections.Strong
- MC4R mutations are the most common cause of monogenic obesity, found in 5-6% of severe early-onset obesity cases, and lead to hyperphagia, increased lean mass, and accelerated linear growth.Strong
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →