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Abstract
Objectives
To review progress in understanding the methods and results concerning the causal contribution of body mass index (BMI) to health and disease.
Methods
In the context of conventional evidence focused on the relationship between BMI and health, this review considers current literature on the common, population-based, genetic contribution to BMI and how this has fed into the developing field of applied epidemiology.
Results
Technological and analytical developments have driven considerable success in identifying genetic variants relevant to BMI. This has enabled the implementation of Mendelian randomization to address questions of causality. The product of this work has been the implication of BMI as a causal agent in a host of health outcomes. Further breakdown of causal pathways by integration with other “omics” technologies promises to deliver additional benefit.
Conclusions
Gaps remain in our understanding of BMI as a risk factor for health and disease, and while promising, applied genetic epidemiology should be considered alongside alternative methods for assessing the impact of BMI on health. Potential limitations, relating to inappropriate or nonspecific measures of obesity and the improper use of genetic instruments, will need to be explored and incorporated into future research aiming to dissect BMI as a risk factor.
To review progress in understanding the methods and results concerning the causal contribution of body mass index (BMI) to health and disease.
Methods
In the context of conventional evidence focused on the relationship between BMI and health, this review considers current literature on the common, population-based, genetic contribution to BMI and how this has fed into the developing field of applied epidemiology.
Results
Technological and analytical developments have driven considerable success in identifying genetic variants relevant to BMI. This has enabled the implementation of Mendelian randomization to address questions of causality. The product of this work has been the implication of BMI as a causal agent in a host of health outcomes. Further breakdown of causal pathways by integration with other “omics” technologies promises to deliver additional benefit.
Conclusions
Gaps remain in our understanding of BMI as a risk factor for health and disease, and while promising, applied genetic epidemiology should be considered alongside alternative methods for assessing the impact of BMI on health. Potential limitations, relating to inappropriate or nonspecific measures of obesity and the improper use of genetic instruments, will need to be explored and incorporated into future research aiming to dissect BMI as a risk factor.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1630-1638 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Obesity |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Early online date | 27 Jul 2016 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- body mass index
- causal analyses
- epidemiology
- Mendelian randomization
- obesity
Access to Document
- Full-text PDF (accepted author manuscript)
This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Wiley at onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oby.21554/abstract. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
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- 1 Finished
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MRC UoB UNITE Unit - programme 3
Timpson, N. J. (Principal Investigator) & Timpson, N. J. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/13 → 31/03/18
Project: Research