A-ALLELE OF THE FTO GENE IS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED FAT ACCUMULATION IN VEGETARIANS

Recent evidence suggests that the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) genotype may interact with dietary intakes in relation to adiposity; previous findings suggest that low dietary protein intake may increase the obesity risk. The aim of present paper was to test the effect of FTO variants on obesity related morphological trains (fat accumulation and topography) in adult vegetarians. Methods: Lifestyle, genetic (FTO T/A, rs9939609) and anthropometric data were collected from 114 adult Russian vegetarians (48 males and 66 females), mean age was 30,6 ± 7,0 yrs. Results: Vegetarian men had lower total body fat (11,4 %) compared with non-vegetarian Russian men the same age. Vegetarian women had normal total body fat (23,7 %). A lot of significant associations between A allele and obesity related traits were found in males' subgroup. In this subgroup the AA genotype carriers demonstrate abdominal fat accumulation. There were no significant differences between alternative FTO genotype carriers in obesity related traits in vegetarian women. Conclusion: Obesity risk allele (FTOxA) is associated with fat accumulation on trunk in vegetarian men.