FTO rs9939609 influence on adipose tissue localization in the Italian population

OBJECTIVE: Among the genes in- volved in obesity, the Fat mass and obesity-as- sociated gene (FTO) is certainly one of the most known and the relation between FTO rs9939609 and BMI is highly discussed; nevertheless, da- ta about its influence on body composition are limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a study on a sample of 1066 Italian subjects, whose body composition and FTO rs9939609 were ana- lyzed. RESULTS: We found significant relations be- tween FTO with arm (p=0.01), abdomen (p=0.00), and trunk circumferences (p=0.00), BMI (p=0.01), FM% (p=0.00), and android FM% (p=0.01), where- as no relations were found between FTO and both gynoid fat and lean mass. CONCLUSIONS: To conclude, the relation be- tween FTO and BMI is confirmed and is related specifically with android FM%. These results in- dicated that FTO rs9939609 may be a genetic eti- ological factor for obesity. Indeed, the specifici- ty for the android FM% would indicate FTO as an etiological factor in the development of cardio- vascular diseases.