The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genotype and the risk of obesity in three large population-based cohorts

TY - JOUR

T1 - The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T genotype and the risk of obesity in three large population-based cohorts

AU - Lewis, S.J.

AU - Lawlor, D.A.

AU - Nordestgaard, B.G.

AU - Tybjaerg-Hansen, A.

AU - Ebrahim, S.

AU - Zacho, J.

AU - Ness, A.

AU - Leary, S.

AU - Smith, G.D.

N1 - Times Cited: 0ArticleEnglishLewis, S. JUniv Bristol, Dept Social Med, Canynge Hall,Whiteladies Rd, Bristol BS8 2PR, Avon, EnglandCited References Count: 22329GUBIO SCIENTIFICA LTDEURO HOUSE, 22 APEX COURT WOODLANDS, BRADLEY STOKE, BRISTOL BS32 4JT, ENGLANDBRISTOL

PY - 2008

Y1 - 2008

N2 - Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that low folate levels are associated with a high body mass index (BMI). These findings have potentially important health implications and warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists and the direction of this relationship. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T TT genotype is associated with reduced folate availability and may be a surrogate for measuring folate levels. We sought to determine whether MTHFR C677T genotype was associated with obesity. Design: We carried out our study on four populations from three longitudinal studies based in the UK and Denmark in which DNA for genotyping was obtained along with measures of obesity. Methods: Our subjects were taken from the British Women's Heart and Health Study (BWHHS), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (two populations: mothers and children) and the Copenhagen City Heart Study. We performed analyses separately by population, and then carried out a meta-analysis, combining similar populations. Results: Initial findings in the BWHHS suggested that the TT genotype may be associated with an increased risk of obesity BMI 3 0, however, no association was found with BMI or central adiposity in this cohort. This genotype was not associated with obesity in our other cohorts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the initial positive finding with obesity in the BWHHS was a chance finding. Our findings do not support a causal effect of low folate on obesity Udgivelsesdato: 2008/7

AB - Objective: Epidemiological studies have shown that low folate levels are associated with a high body mass index (BMI). These findings have potentially important health implications and warrant further investigation to determine whether a causal relationship exists and the direction of this relationship. The methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T TT genotype is associated with reduced folate availability and may be a surrogate for measuring folate levels. We sought to determine whether MTHFR C677T genotype was associated with obesity. Design: We carried out our study on four populations from three longitudinal studies based in the UK and Denmark in which DNA for genotyping was obtained along with measures of obesity. Methods: Our subjects were taken from the British Women's Heart and Health Study (BWHHS), the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (two populations: mothers and children) and the Copenhagen City Heart Study. We performed analyses separately by population, and then carried out a meta-analysis, combining similar populations. Results: Initial findings in the BWHHS suggested that the TT genotype may be associated with an increased risk of obesity BMI 3 0, however, no association was found with BMI or central adiposity in this cohort. This genotype was not associated with obesity in our other cohorts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the initial positive finding with obesity in the BWHHS was a chance finding. Our findings do not support a causal effect of low folate on obesity Udgivelsesdato: 2008/7

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0804-4643

VL - 159

SP - 35

EP - 40

JO - European Journal of Endocrinology

JF - European Journal of Endocrinology

IS - 1

ER -