The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARG) gene is associated with the synthesis of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, a nuclear receptor found mainly in the adipose tissue, macrophages and colon. PPARG is shown to be associated with fatty acid storage and glucose metabolism.
Association with Obesity:
In a study conducted on 387 obese individuals and 288 controls, obese males with the G variant were shown to be associated with significantly increased risk of obesity and were found to be associated with higher BMI.
Association with Tendency to Regain Weight (Obesity):
In a study conducted on 3597 individuals, people with the G variant were shown to be associated with greater weight regain.
In another study that analyzed 16 gene polymorphisms associated with weight maintenance, people with the G variant were found to be associated with greater weight regain across treatment arms.
Does your 23andme, Ancestry DNA, FTDNA raw data have PPARG gene variant information?
| CHIP Version | PPARG SNPs |
| 23andMe (Use your 23andme raw data to know your PPARG Variant) | |
| v1 23andme | Present |
| v2 23andme | Present |
| v3 23andme | Present |
| v4 23andme | Present |
| V5 23andme (current chip) | Present |
| AncestryDNA (Use your ancestry DNA raw data to know your PPARG Variant) | |
| v1 ancestry DNA | Present |
| V2 ancestry DNA (current chip) | Present |
| Family Tree DNA (Use your FTDNA raw data to know your PPARG Variant) | |
| OmniExpress microarray chip | Present |
Association with MUFA Intake and Weight Gain:
In a study conducted on 1465 individuals, people with the G variant were found to have a lower BMI than people with the C variant in a diet rich in MUFA. In the same study, people with the G variant were shown to be associated with lower weight loss than people with the C variant when the total fat intake was high.
| Genotype | Phenotype | Recommendations |
| CC | [Advantage] Likely to have lower risk of obesity [Advantage] Less likely to regain weight after ending a hypocaloric diet [Limitation] More likely to have a higher BMI on high MUFA intake | Consciously stick to an appropriate exercise regime, since the risk of weight regain is higher Alternate between exercise routines like a regular gym workout to a Zumba class, variety could help stay motivated A diet rich in MUFA could help in better weight management, while MUFA rich foods are also heart healthy Some MUFA rich food sources are Olive oil, avocado, olives, almonds and peanuts |
| GG | Moderate risk of weight regain | Consciously stick to an appropriate exercise regime, since the risk of weight regain is higher Alternate between exercise routines like a regular gym workout to a Zumba class, variety could help stay motivated A diet rich in MUFA could help in better weight management, while MUFA rich foods are also heart healthy Some MUFA rich food sources are Olive oil, avocado, olives, almonds and peanuts |
| GG | [Limitation] Likely to have higher risk of obesity [Limitation] More likely to regain weight after ending a hypocaloric diet [Advantage] Less likely to have a higher BMI on high MUFA intake [Advantage] Less likely to have a higher BMI on high MUFA intake | It is important to include sufficient physical activity in your daily routine to maintain an ideal weight and lower the risk for diseases Include MUFA rich food sources in the diet to improve heart health and increase physical activity to lower risk of weight gain Some MUFA rich food sources are Olive oil, avocado, olives, almonds and peanuts |
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19733160?dopt=Abstract
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951915/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22102511
“Nutrigenetics, fitness genetics, health genetics are all nascent but rapidly growing areas within human genetics. The information provided herein is based on preliminary scientific studies and it is to be read and understood in that context.”
