Does stress cause weight gain through epigenetic change?
The FTO gene or Alpha-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase has a strong association with body mass index, obesity risk and type 2 diabetes. The name itself gives way to its function in the body. This gene and its subsequent encoding protein contributes to the regulation of metabolic rate, energy expenditure and energy homeostasis. It specifically regulates body fat accumulation, thermogenesis, and the control of adipocyte differentiation into brown or white fat.
One of the major ways that FTO may affect body weight is through influencing appetite. Increased expression of FTO or activation of FTO is linked to increased appetite with animal studies showing that when FTO is artificially overactivated in mice, they consume more calories and become overweight.
Scientists have found that certain genotypes in FTO can make the FTO gene more active, further increasing the potential link between appetite control and weight gain.
Unlike inheritance our DNA methylation or epigenetics can be changed based on our environment and the changes to methylation can increase and suppress gene expression.
Muhdo health have analysed (n=37) the methylation across sites on FTO that may impact how the gene expresses and found that those who report higher levels of stress also have less methylation on the sites analysed which will lead to increased gene activation and perhaps an increased appetite and obesity.
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To further clarify the average BMI of participants in the three groups were:
High Stress Level = BMI ave: 27.2
Medium Stress Level = BMI ave: 26
Low Stress Level = BMI ave: 24.3
We know that anecdotally some individuals overeat when they are stressed, we also know weight gain increases in times of stress, however this is often attributed to hormone changes and psychological factors. The above analysis shows that there may also be an epigenetic reason for this increase in weight and appetite, it should also be noted that potential epigenetic change can be passed down in childbirth indicating that epigenetic expression passed down from the mother may also increase childhood obesity and it is not just genetic inheritance.
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