Development and evaluation of a genetic risk score for obesity.

Belsky DW1, Moffitt TE, Sugden K, Williams B, Houts R, McCarthy J, Caspi A.

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Abstract

Multi-locus profiles of genetic risk, so-called "genetic risk scores," can be used to translate discoveries from genome-wide association studies into tools for population health research. We developed a genetic risk score for obesity from results of 16 published genome-wide association studies of obesity phenotypes in European-descent samples. We then evaluated this genetic risk score using data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) cohort GWAS sample (N = 10,745, 55% female, 77% white, 23% African American). Our 32-locus GRS was a statistically significant predictor of body mass index (BMI) and obesity among ARIC whites [for BMI, r = 0.13, p<1 0.55-0.58="" 0.57="" 10="" a="" african="" americans.="" among="" amp="" and="" are="" area="" article.="" available="" biodemography="" biology="" bmi="" characteristic="" ci="" curve="" demographic="" derived="" development="" differences="" edition="" elevated="" evaluation="" following="" for="" from="" genetic="" geographic="" go="" grs="" gwas="" in="" information.="" less="" materials="" measurement="" molecular="" net="" obesity.="" obesity="" of="" online="" operating="" p="" performed="" predicted="" predisposition="" provides="" publisher="" receiver="" resource:="" risk="" s="" score="" social="" socioeconomic="" supplement="" the="" this="" to="" under="" upplemental="" we="" well="">