Construction and validation of an FTO gene-wide risk score for research into gene-environment interactions and obesity

Project Summary

Obesity manifests from interactions between genetic variants and environmental factors. The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene harbors over 200 variants associated with obesity outcomes. Modifiable risk factors, such as dietary intake, may moderate these associations, but their magnitude and directions are inconsistent across variants. This study aims to develop an FTO gene-wide score using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) to be examined in further gene-diet interaction analyses in a separate cohort sample with detailed dietary data. The CLSA comprehensive cohort will be utilized as a base cohort for score development. Genomic, physical assessment and questionnaire variables from the baseline data will be used for association analyses to generate summary statistics for score development. Identifying modifiable risk factors that may moderate FTO’s risk on obesity will help advance precision strategies for obesity management.