Genetic contributions to body mass index over adolescence and its associations with adult weight gain: a 25-year follow-up study of Finnish twins
Authors' conclusion
We found that genetic factors play a role in BMI change in adulthood, and part of this genetic component overlaps with the genetics of BMI in adolescence. Genetic predisposition to high BMI in adolescence is also related to adult weight gain.
Study context
- Population
- Finnish twins (40% males; 494 complete twin pairs) reporting body mass index (BMI) at ages 11.5, 14, 17.5, 24 and 37 years
- Participants
- 1,400 twins494 complete twin pairs
- Exposure
- Men vs Women
- Outcome
- BMI change (slope) in adulthood and its genetic associations with adolescent BMI
- Follow-up
- 17.5 to 37 years of age
Methodological detailsgenetic twin models, polygenic risk scores, linear mixed-effects models
- Genetic twin models
- Polygenic risk scores
- Linear mixed-effects models
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Mean BMI increase in adulthood · 17.5 to 37 years
Men
4.06
mean · kg/m²
Women
3.39
mean · kg/m²
- Correlation of BMI change with BMI at 17.5 years (intercept), men
- r = 0.24
- Correlation of BMI change with BMI at 17.5 years (intercept), women
- r = 0.35
- Correlation of BMI change with Polygenic Risk Scores of BMI (PRSBMI), men
- r = 0.25
- Correlation of BMI change with PRSBMI, women
- r = 0.27
- Heritability of BMI change, men
- 0.63
- Heritability of BMI change, women
- 0.64
- Genetic correlation of BMI change with BMI at baseline age, men
- rA = 0.5
- Genetic correlation of BMI change with BMI at baseline age, women
- 0.54
- Genetic correlation of BMI change with BMI at 11.5 and 14 years
- rA = 0.63-0.64
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Genetic contributions to body mass index over adolescence and its associations with adult weight gain: a 25-year follow-up study of Finnish twins. Int J Obes (Lond). Published 20 November 2024. doi:10.
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