Latest news with #CSIR-CCMB
Hans India
2 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Indian genetics demand tailored obesity solutions, finds new global study led by CSIR-CCMB
A recent international study led by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) in Hyderabad has revealed that lifestyle-based interventions or targeted nutrient supplementation could be more effective for Indians at genetic risk of obesity than generic global approaches. The research highlights a significant genetic variation in obesity risk between Indian and European populations, underlining the need for culturally and biologically relevant health strategies. The study, spearheaded by Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak and his team at CSIR-CCMB, forms part of a major global research initiative involving 600 scientists from over 500 institutions. Drawing on genetic data from more than 5 million individuals, including inputs from the GIANT consortium and 23andMe, the study explored how genetic and lifestyle factors combine to influence obesity. A key finding of the study was that the widely used Polygenic Risk Score (PRS)—a genetic test designed to predict obesity—performs more accurately in populations of European ancestry than in those with South Asian ancestry, including Indians. While many obesity-related gene variants identified in Europeans were also tested on Indian samples, most showed limited predictive power, reaffirming the unique nature of Indian genetic makeup. To dig deeper, the researchers analysed genome data from Indian individuals—both diabetics and non-diabetics—who have been monitored over the past two decades. They discovered a distinct pattern of central or abdominal obesity in Indians, unlike the more generalized obesity seen in Western populations. Interestingly, individuals with higher genetic risk for obesity responded better to lifestyle interventions like diet and exercise. However, they were also more prone to weight regain once those interventions ended. 'This finding mirrors earlier studies on height, where European genetic markers had limited applicability to Indians. It appears that diet, nutrition, and environment might play an equally, if not more, critical role in determining obesity in Indians,' said Dr. Chandak. Using Indian genomic data, the team developed a more region-specific PRS to model obesity risk and improve early detection, especially among children. The refined model can predict adulthood obesity by the age of five, making it twice as effective as older models. This breakthrough could enable early preventive measures among genetically vulnerable children, a move that could significantly reduce the burden of obesity-linked diseases such as diabetes and hypertension in India. 'This is not just a test. It's a predictive tool for proactive care,' said Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the global study, published in Nature Medicine. 'By identifying risk early, especially before lifestyle habits solidify, we can dramatically improve health outcomes.' The findings reiterate that while genetics do play a role, customised lifestyle strategies are critical for Indian populations. The future of obesity prevention in India may rest in precision medicine, where treatment plans are based not just on global data but on uniquely Indian insights.
Hans India
5 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Nutrition and lifestyle hold the key to overcoming obesity risk
Obesity is a growing concern in India, linked to a rising burden of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Yet, recent research by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, reveals that the genetic patterns associated with obesity in Europeans do not necessarily translate to Indians. The findings emphasize that lifestyle choices and targeted nutrition might be more effective than genetics-based interventions for Indian populations. Indians tend to exhibit more central or abdominal obesity—excess fat around the waist—even at lower body mass index (BMI) levels than Europeans. This pattern is more strongly linked to metabolic risks such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. The research shows that polygenic risk scores (PRS), which use genetic data to predict obesity risk, work more accurately in people of European ancestry but are less predictive for those of South Asian ancestry, including Indians. This difference suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors play a greater role in influencing obesity in Indians. The role of lifestyle in weight management The study tracked individuals with varying glucose levels for nearly two decades, allowing researchers to observe how lifestyle interventions affect people with a high genetic risk of obesity. Interestingly, individuals genetically predisposed to obesity initially responded well to lifestyle modifications such as structured exercise and dietary changes. However, once these interventions stopped, weight regain occurred more rapidly than in people with lower genetic risk. This underlines an important point: while genetics may influence how easily one gains or loses weight, sustainable lifestyle habits are critical to long-term success. Nutrition: The first line of defense For Indians, where diets are often rich in refined carbohydrates and low in protein, dietary improvements can significantly alter obesity outcomes. Experts suggest focusing on nutrient-dense whole foods, increasing dietary fiber, and moderating simple carbohydrate intake. Traditional Indian diets already include pulses, vegetables, and spices with known metabolic benefits, but the growing popularity of processed foods and sugary drinks has shifted nutritional patterns in recent years. Adopting balanced meal plans that emphasize seasonal produce, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help counteract genetic nutrient supplementation may also prove beneficial. For example, deficiencies in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids are prevalent in India and have been linked to metabolic disorders and weight gain. Addressing such deficiencies through diet or supplements can support metabolic health and weight management, especially for individuals at high genetic risk. Exercise and physical activity While nutrition forms the foundation, physical activity determines how effectively calories are utilized and stored. Regular aerobic exercise, resistance training, and even moderate-intensity daily activities like walking or cycling can improve insulin sensitivity and prevent fat accumulation around the abdomen. For genetically susceptible individuals, incorporating consistent physical activity into daily life is more effective than temporary workout plans that are abandoned after initial weight loss. Early interventions for lasting impact One of the most powerful findings of the global research effort, which included Indian genetic data, was the ability to predict future obesity risk in children as young as five years old. Early detection means lifestyle and nutritional interventions can start sooner, preventing excessive weight gain before it becomes a chronic issue. For children at risk, promoting outdoor play, limiting screen time, encouraging balanced diets, and educating families about healthy cooking can create lifelong healthy habits. A holistic approach The takeaway from the CSIR-CCMB study is clear: while genetics provides part of the picture, it is lifestyle and nutrition that ultimately determine outcomes. For Indians, whose genetic predisposition differs from Europeans, tailored lifestyle solutions—like nutrient-specific supplementation, diet quality improvement, and long-term fitness habits—may yield better results than relying solely on genetic predictions. As Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak of CSIR-CCMB notes, 'Lifestyle, diet, and nutrition might play an equal or even greater role than genetics in predicting obesity in Indians.' For individuals and healthcare policymakers alike, the focus should be on creating environments and programs that encourage sustainable nutrition and active lifestyles, rather than treating obesity as an unavoidable genetic destiny.
India.com
6 days ago
- Health
- India.com
Genetic Risk Of Obesity In Indians Differs From Europeans: Study Reveals Why Lifestyle Changes Work Better
Hyderabad: Lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation might yield better results for Indians with genetic risk of obesity, reveals a study. Many gene variants previously associated with obesity in Europeans do not affect Indians similarly, which resonates with a different pattern of obesity in Indians, according to the findings of the study by researchers at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad. The study also revealed that Polygenic Risk Score (PSR) predicts obesity more accurately in people with European-like ancestry than in those with other ancestries, including Indians (South Asian ancestry) Researchers at CSIR-CCMB, led by Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, characterised the genomes of the Indian population. They included individuals with diabetes as well as those with normal blood glucose levels, who have been followed for nearly 20 years, providing a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic basis of obesity in Indians. Obesity is a grave problem in India and other parts of South Asia, given their incidences of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The pattern of obesity in India is notably different from that in Europe, with Indians tending to have more central (abdominal) obesity. Several obesity-associated genetic changes were identified and used to develop the PRS for Indians, effectively creating a 'virtual individual' to model obesity risk. This data from Indian samples has served as a representative for the South Asian population in the study. Through this data, the study's findings become more relevant for the Indian and South Asian populations. The scientists also examined the connection between a person's genetic risk of obesity and the impact of lifestyle weight loss interventions, such as diet and exercise. They discovered that individuals with a higher genetic risk of obesity responded better to interventions but also regained weight more quickly once the interventions ended. 'The observations made from this study are similar to the earlier results on height, where genetic variants identified in Europeans predicted lower risk in Indians, and environment-related modifications of genes play a larger role. It looks like lifestyle, diet and nutrition might be playing an equal or more important role in predicting obesity in Indians. So, for Indians, lifestyle solutions or specific nutrient supplementation in the background of genetic risk might yield better results,' said Dr Chandak. Earlier studies by Dr Chandak showed that the genetic basis of non-communicable diseases varies significantly between Indians and Europeans. The latest study by researchers at CSIR-CCMB is part of a global study. An international team of 600 researchers across 500 institutions drew on the largest and most diverse genetic dataset ever, including genetic data from the GIANT consortium and consumer DNA testing firm 23andMe. This provided access to genetic information from over 5 million people from different countries, including India. Using this data, the researchers developed a genetic test called PRS that predicts adulthood obesity in early childhood. This discovery could help identify children and adolescents already at higher genetic risk of developing obesity, who could benefit from targeted preventative strategies such as lifestyle interventions at a younger age. This score is twice as effective as the previous best test at predicting a person's risk of developing obesity. 'What makes the score so powerful is its ability to predict, around 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,' says Assistant Professor Roelof Smit from the NNF Centre for Basic Metabolic Research (CBMR) at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the research that was published in the journal Nature Medicine.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
‘Around 30% Indians are at obesity risk'
HYDERABAD: Long-term tracking of thousands of healthy Indian individuals has revealed that 25% to 30% became obese by adulthood, even though they showed no signs of the condition at the beginning. This finding is part of a global study that offers new genetic insights into obesity and introduces a polygenic risk score (PRS) capable of predicting the likelihood of developing obesity as early as age five. The study involved over 600 scientists across 500 institutions, including researchers from Hyderabad-based CSIR-CCMB. Led by senior geneticist Dr Giriraj Ratan Chandak, CSIR-CCMB contributed to ensuring that the genetic data from Indian participants reflected South Asian diversity. Dr Chandak told TNIE, 'The study included four Indian cohorts mainly from Mysuru, Mumbai and Pune, ranging from 2,200 to over 20,000 individuals, many of whom have been followed for nearly two decades. The long-term data allowed researchers to assess how genetics and lifestyle together influence obesity progression over a lifetime.' The study also found that individuals with a higher genetic risk are more prone to obesity but tend to respond better to lifestyle interventions, although they may regain weight more quickly when those interventions are discontinued. Indian obesity patterns driven by distinct genetic traits, finds study The PRS model proved more accurate for people of European ancestry compared to South Asians. The model, created using genetic data from over five million individuals of various backgrounds, was found to be twice as effective as previous models. By integrating the influence of hundreds of thousands of genetic variants, it evaluates an individual's risk of obesity, serving as a robust early-warning tool to inform preventive lifestyle adjustments.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Around 30 per cent of Indians at risk of obesity: CCMB Study
HYDERABAD: Long-term tracking of thousands of healthy Indian individuals has revealed that 25 per cent to 30 per cent became obese by adulthood, even though they showed no signs of the condition at the beginning. This finding is part of a global study that offers new genetic insights into obesity and introduces a polygenic risk score (PRS) capable of predicting the likelihood of developing obesity as early as age five. The study involved over 600 scientists across 500 institutions, including researchers from Hyderabad-based CSIR-CCMB. Led by senior geneticist Dr. Giriraj Ratan Chandak, CSIR-CCMB contributed to ensuring that the genetic data from Indian participants reflected South Asian diversity. Dr. Chandak told TNIE, 'The study included four Indian cohorts, mainly from Mysore, Mumbai, and Pune, ranging from 2,200 to over 20,000 individuals, many of whom have been followed for nearly two decades. The long-term data allowed researchers to assess how genetics and lifestyle together influence obesity progression over a lifetime.' The study also found that individuals with a higher genetic risk are more prone to obesity but tend to respond better to lifestyle interventions, although they may regain weight more quickly when those interventions are discontinued.
