Clinical and social factors associated with excess weight in Hispanic and non-Hispanic White children

Hazrati, Sahel; Khan, Farah Aziz; Huddleston, Kathi; Cruz, Faith De La; Deeken, John F.; Fuller, Alma; Wong, Wendy S. W.; Niederhuber, John E.; Hourigan, Suchitra K.

doi:10.1038/s41390-018-0264-9

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…Over the last few decades, Puerto Rico has had an alarmingly higher rate of pediatric obesity compared to the mainland U.S. [19,20]. Several studies have presented evidence indicating that Puerto Rican children are disproportionately affected by obesity, with higher rates of occurrence compared to children from other ethnic backgrounds [21]. The elevated occurrence of childhood obesity among Puerto Ricans has been attributed to a distinct combination of genetic predisposition and the cultural and social milieu, suggesting that this distinctive interaction may explain the observed phenomenon Nevertheless, there has been a lack of in-depth research regarding the participation of obesity-associated genes in Puerto Rican children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Tip of the Iceberg: Genotype of Puerto Rican Pediatric Obesity

Melendez-Montañez,

De Jesus-Rojas

2024

Genes

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Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern, particularly among Hispanic populations. This study aimed to elucidate the genetic predisposition to obesity in Puerto Rican children of Hispanic descent, addressing a notable gap in existing research. A cohort of 103 children with obesity and hyperphagia underwent genetic screening for rare obesity-related variants. Clinical assessments and family history evaluations were conducted to characterize the demographic and clinical characteristics of the cohort. Genetic testing revealed a high prevalence of variants, with 73% of subjects having at least one reported variant. Pathogenic variants, predominantly associated with obesity-related ciliopathies, were identified in 7% of cases. Additionally, 90% of cases had variants of uncertain significance, highlighting the complexity of genetic contributions to obesity. This study emphasizes the critical need for further investigation into the genetic foundations of obesity, particularly within Hispanic communities. The findings emphasize the importance of early medical evaluation, vigilant monitoring for hyperphagia onset, and targeted interventions tailored to the unique genetic landscape of Puerto Rican children. This research provides a foundational framework for future studies to mitigate the impact of genetic obesity within this population.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%