Very light physical activity amount in FTO genetically predisposed obese individuals

Purpose. Fat mass and obesity-related (FTO) rs9939609 polymorphism has a role in body mass index (BMI) increase and in predisposing to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Our aim was to investigate if a very light physical activity could counteract weight gain and MetS in obese subjects bearing the rs9939609 FTO polymorphism from Southern Italy. Methods. Data of fitness components, anthropometry, clinical-biochemical parameters and FTO polymorphism in 78 unrelated morbid obese subjects from Southern Italy (15-30 years) were examined. Physical activity energy expenditure was monitored by a SenseWear Pro 3 Armband for 24 h/day for two consecutive weekdays in all enrolled individuals. Results. Sedentary obese subjects had higher waist circumference (124.8 vs 117.9 cm, P<0.05), BMI (43.4 vs 37.7 kg/m2, P<0.0001) and fat mass (49.2 vs 44.5%, P<0.0001) compared to lightly active ones. Further, lightly active obese subjects bearing the rs9939609 FTO minor allele had a lower BMI than polymorphic sedentary ones (37.1 vs 45.3 kg/m2, respectively, P<0.01), and did not differ in metabolic syndrome presence. Conclusion. Our results suggest that a very light amount of physical exercise is associated with a lower BMI in obese subjects bearing the minor allele of the rs9939609 FTO polymorphism.