New tool can predict which children are likely to become obese
The test could help to identify children and adolescents who would benefit from targeted preventative strategies, like diet and exercise, at a younger age.
The new test, which analyses DNA from a blood sample, is thought to be twice as effective at predicting obesity as the previous best test.
As well as identifying children at risk of obesity, it can also predict how well obese adults will respond to targeted weight loss programmes.
'What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, before the age of five, whether a child is likely to develop obesity in adulthood, well before other risk factors start to shape their weight later in childhood. Intervening at this point can have a huge impact,' said Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research published in the journal Nature Medicine.
Obesity is a major and chronic problem around the world that is only growing. A disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation, people with obesity are also more likely to have numerous health conditions, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
The World Obesity Federation expects more than half the global population to become overweight or obese by 2035.
A groundbreaking new tool from international researchers aims to predict future obesity during childhood. Tens of millions are affected by the chronic condition around the world (Getty/iStock)
In England, almost 65 per cent of adults over the age of 18 are overweight or obese, while around one in eight children aged between two and 10 in England are obese, according to the NHS.
In the U.S., some two in five adults and one in five children and adolescents have obesity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it affects some groups more than others, including non-Hispanic Black adults and adults with less education.
Although there are ways of tackling obesity, such as through diet, exercise, surgery and medication, these options are not always available and do not work for everyone.
Research for the study involved a collaboration with the consumer genetics and research company 23andMe, and the contributions of more than 600 scientists from 500 institutions globally. Traits such as human height and body mass index were noted and gathered in the data.
Subtle variations in our genetics can impact our health, including the likelihood of developing obesity and even our appetite, experts say.
Scientists drew on the genetic data of more than five million people – the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever (Getty/iStock)
Thousands of genetic variants have been identified that increase the risk of obesity, influencing appetite. To determine a child's future risk of obesity, the researchers developed a scoring system, known as a 'polygenic risk score.' To score patients, the new system adds the effects of these risk variants up. The researchers said it was able to explain nearly a fifth of a person's variation in body mass index.
To create the score, the scientists drew on the genetic data of more than five million people – the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever. They then tested the new risk score for obesity on datasets of the physical and genetic characteristics of more than 500,000 people.
"This new polygenic score is a dramatic improvement in predictive power and a leap forward in the genetic prediction of obesity risk, which brings us much closer to clinically useful genetic testing," said Professor Ruth Loos from CBMR at the University of Copenhagen.
It assessed the relationship between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle interventions, such as diet and exercise.
Scientists found that those with a higher genetic risk of obesity were more responsive to interventions, but they also gained weight quickly once those interventions ended.
However, the new test does have its limitations. Despite drawing on the genetics of the global population, it was far better at predicting obesity in people with European ancestry than in people with African ancestry.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Scientists Find Evidence That Original Life on Earth Was Assembled From Material in Space
The molecules that form the building blocks to life may be far more common in space than once thought, according to researchers from the Max Planck Institute. Their work, published in The Astrophysical Journal, reports the detection of over a dozen types of complex organic molecules swimming closely around a protostar in the constellation Orion, suggesting that the chemicals can survive the violent processes that give birth to stars and thus may abound in space, instead of having to wait for a planet with the right conditions to form them. Two of the most notable organic molecules detected in the system — tentatively, the astronomers stress — are ethylene glycol and glycolonitrile. Both are precursors of the nucleic acids that form DNA and RNA. "Our finding points to a straight line of chemical enrichment and increasing complexity between interstellar clouds and fully evolved planetary systems," lead author Abubakar Fadul, an astronomer at the Max Planck Institute, said in a statement about the work. And thus, quoting the researchers' statement: "this suggests that the seeds of life are assembled in space and are widespread." Until now, the assumption has been that most organic molecules would be destroyed when a star system is born from a chilly cloud of collapsing gas called an interstellar cloud. When this happens, the protostar undergoes a violent, tumultuous change, blasting out damaging radiation that heats the surrounding gas while pummeling it with powerful shockwaves. This leaves behind a protoplanetary disk that can eventually form little worlds in the star's orbit. But in the process, this was also believed to "reset" all the progress that'd been made towards seeding the system with chemical building blocks, which wouldn't start again until the right planet with the ideal conditions came along. "Now it appears the opposite is true," study co-author Kamber Schwarz, a fellow astronomer at MPI, said in a statement about the work. "Our results suggest that protoplanetary disks inherit complex molecules from earlier stages, and the formation of complex molecules can continue during the protoplanetary disk stage." Complex organic molecules are difficult to detect because they're typically trapped in shards called icy dust grains, where they first formed. But in the V883 system, the star is still blasting bursts of radiation into space as it feeds on the leftover gas in its disk. "These outbursts are strong enough to heat the surrounding disk as far as otherwise icy environments, releasing the chemicals we have detected," Fadul said. Once liberated, the gases quickly heat up and produce emissions that astronomers can see. The researchers spotted them, fortuitously, using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), a huge radio telescope in Chile made of 66 separate antennas working in tandem. Poetically, it appears that a young star's destructive tendencies are freeing the seeds of life to roam space. If the precursors to life's building blocks can survive a system's violent formation, that means their chemical evolution can start way before planet formation begins. In short, it looks like life's building blocks can form in space, and may be rife throughout the cosmos. Follow-up observations will need to confirm the detections, but the results have the researchers buzzing. "Perhaps we also need to look at other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum to find even more evolved molecules," Fadul said. "Who knows what else we might discover?" More on astronomy: Hubble Snaps Photos of Interstellar Invader
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The #1 High-Protein Upgrade for Your Morning Smoothie (It's Not Protein Powder)
Smoothies are the ultimate breakfast option for busy mornings. You can fill them with nutritious ingredients and easily sip them as you head out the door. Plus, if you're someone who isn't hungry for breakfast, you may find that drinking something is more palatable than eating a more formal meal. To make your smoothie a well-rounded breakfast, you'll need to add more than just fruit and water. Eating a high-protein breakfast helps support steady energy levels throughout the morning. Protein gets digested more slowly than carbs, so it can keep you held over for longer. It also helps prevent blood sugar spikes, making it a helpful nutrient for managing diabetes and prediabetes. You may think that protein powder is the only way to make a high-protein smoothie, but that isn't the case. The best high-protein upgrade for your morning smoothie is actually in your refrigerator: Greek yogurt. Just one 7-ounce container provides an impressive 20 grams of protein. Greek yogurt is also rich in calcium and probiotics to support bone and gut health. Plus, because it's lower in lactose than many other dairy products, it may be easier for some people with lactose intolerance to tolerate. Keep reading to learn more about what makes Greek yogurt a worthwhile addition to your morning smoothie and recipes to use it in. The Health Benefits of Greek Yogurt It's a High-Quality Source of Protein As mentioned above, a 7-ounce container of Greek yogurt has a whopping 20 grams of protein, including all nine essential amino acids. In addition to being a complete source of protein, Greek yogurt may be easier for the body to digest and absorb than other types of protein. While more research is needed, one study found that the proteins in yogurt may help build muscle mass more effectively than other sources of milk protein, partly because they're easier to digest. It Contains Probiotics Not only is Greek yogurt high in protein, but it's also an excellent source of probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms used in the fermentation process that can support a healthy gut microbiome. Besides keeping you regular, a healthy gut supports other aspects of health, including your brain, metabolism, immune system and mood. It's a Good Source of Calcium Most Americans don't get enough calcium, which can increase the risk of bone health issues like osteoporosis. Calcium is primarily stored in your bones and teeth, providing strength and structure so they're less likely to break. Fortunately, Greek yogurt is a good source of calcium. The exact amount varies depending on the product, but most contain at least 10% of the Daily Value. In fact, dairy products are one of the main sources of calcium in a typical American diet. It May Be Low in Lactose Not only is Greek yogurt a good source of protein and calcium, but it's also generally low in lactose. Being lactose intolerant can make getting certain nutrients found in dairy products, like calcium, more challenging. Luckily, Greek yogurt can be easier for some people with lactose intolerance to tolerate, with lactose-free formulations also available. For reference, a glass of milk has about 12 to 13 grams of lactose, while 6 ounces of Greek yogurt only has about 4 grams of lactose. How to Add Greek Yogurt to Smoothies Greek yogurt is incredibly versatile and contributes a satisfying, creamy consistency to smoothies. To keep added sugars low, opt for plain Greek yogurt and include fruits, like bananas and berries, for a touch of natural sweetness. Nuts, seeds and nut butters are also helpful additions, as they provide protein, fiber and healthy fats to make your smoothie even more filling. : This tropical, creamy smoothie offers 13 grams of protein per serving. It also includes spinach for a healthy dose of leafy greens. : This PB&J-inspired smoothie is a healthy spin on a childhood classic. Each serving provides 18 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber to help power you through your morning. . This tasty smoothie boasts 19 grams of protein per serving. It features strawberries, banana and mango for a deliciously fruity start to your day. Our Expert Take Smoothies are a convenient yet nutritious breakfast option. However, if you don't want to find your stomach grumbling just an hour or two later, we recommend adding Greek yogurt to the mix. Packed with protein, fiber, calcium and probiotics, Greek yogurt helps keep you full while also supporting bone and gut health. Plus, its creamy texture makes it even more irresistible, giving you that extra motivation to start your day. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Mama June Shannon admitted to hospital
Mama June Shannon was admitted to hospital, just hours after a psychic warned her about health issues. The 45-year-old reality TV star met with a psychic during her daughter Jessica Shannon's bachelorette party, who told her she was carrying a lot of stress and "may have a heart attack" because of it. Hours later she found herself in severe pain and her husband Justin Stroud insisted she go to hospital because of the psychic's warnings. In scenes from Mama June: Family Crisis, she can be heard saying: 'It is way worse than it has ever been.' Doctors in the emergency room "determined that ovarian cysts are causing her severe pain" and June is now 'considering her treatment options'. June has suffered a number of health issues in recent years, revealing last month that along with having to undergo a total hysterectomy, she had other ongoing ailments. She told 'I am still dealing with the medical issues, and I don't want to go public with those until we find out where we are and what the treatment is going to be. 'So, the only thing that I've came public with is a hysterectomy, not the other health issues.' June is also sober following her public battle with addiction five years ago. She said: 'I'd say I'm five and a half straight, sober. No cigarettes, no alcohol, no nothing. You know, I don't even think about who that person was.'