Gene–Environment Interplay Between Residential Walkability and BMI : A Finnish Twin Study
Authors' conclusion
These findings underscored the complex gene-environment interplay between walkability and BMI. While genetic susceptibility cannot be modified, public health strategies that focus on the obesogenic environment, such as improving walkability, may still help mitigate obesity risk.
Study context
- Population
- Individuals from two Finnish twin cohorts; mean age 43
- Participants
- 4,312 individuals2 twin cohorts
- Outcome
- Interplay between residential walkability (composite index of built and natural environmental features), genetics and BMI
Methodological detailstwo Finnish twin cohorts, pairwise twin analyses, univariate and bivariate moderation twin modeling
- Two Finnish twin cohorts
- Pairwise twin analyses
- Univariate and bivariate moderation twin modeling
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Walkability, genetics and BMI
Higher walkability associated with lower BMI (multiple linear regression adjusted for sociodemographic factors), coefficient
−0.02
95% CI −0.04, −0.01
Additive genetic effects accounted for this share of variation in walkability when middle-aged
22%
Original publication
Gene–Environment Interplay Between Residential Walkability and BMI : A Finnish Twin Study. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 27 April 2026. doi:10.
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