Genetic, dietary, and non-dietary risk factors of obesity among preparatory-year female students at Taibah University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Genetic factors have a strong influence on obesity and are associated with body mass index (BMI). No study has investigated the relationships between glucose, the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene, obesity (BMI), and other metabolic-related traits in Saudi Arabia. This study was conducted to identify the association between glucose, BMI and the FTO rs9939609 variant with different metabolic traits among 186 female preparatory students at Taibah University in 2015. The subjects were divided into two categories based on glucose level and BMI. The results showed that 1/10th of the students were non-obese, while approximately 1/3rd had a high glucose level (HGL). The HGL group had higher mean levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and malondialdehyde compared to those of the normal glucose level (NGL) group. A highly positive correlation between glucose and some biochemical parameters was found in the HGL group (P < 0.05), while no correlation was found between glucose and biochemical parameters, except for the cholesterol and triglyceride levels, in the NGL group. According to the t-test, none of the biochemical parameters were significant, and no correlation existed between these parameters and glucose, except for BMI. More than 90% of the students were not aware that they had an HGL or high cholesterol level according to their response to the questionnaire distributed at the beginning of this study. These problems mainly arose from the students' diet, lack of exercise, and lifestyle. Of the 75% of students that had the T-allele, approximately 50% had the heterozygous FTO rs9939609 genotype AT. Genotypes were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) in the whole population (n = 186) in both obese and non-obese groups and both HGL and NGL groups. In conclusion, a positive correlation between glucose and some biochemical parameters was found in the HGL group; 24.5% of the population had the (A allele) risk factor, and 32% and 98% of the population were homozygous (AA) and heterozygous (AT) for the rs9939609 FTO obesity-risk allele that is responsible for greater energy intake. Future studies are required to study the FTO gene variant and its association with different biochemical parameters, mainly glucose, weight, and BMI, between males and females at different ages and locations in Saudi Arabia.

A Review of Prevalence of Obesity in Saudi Arabia

“…In many developing societies, high caloric intake, decreased physical activity, and adoption of western lifestyle are contributing toward the prevalence of obesity [8]. In addition, genetic factors also influence obesity and are related to BMI [9]. Obesity has become an epidemic at global level, and widely regarded as a public health problem.…”

“…Due to its related diseases, it is considered as major concern in KSA and other gulf states. [9], in the context of KSA, examine association between obesity (BMI), fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO), glucose, and other metabolic-related traits. The study uses data of 186 female preparatory students of a university, and finds that one third of the students have a high glucose level (HGL), and one tenth are non-obese.…”

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

“… 2 , 3 There are multiple factors that lead to obesity, primarily diet pattern and eating habits, genetic factors, marital status, and lack of physical activity. 4 , 5 The major consequences of obesity are diabetes, 6 hypertension, 7 coronary artery disease, 8 and stroke. 9 According to the WHO, KSA has the second highest rate of diabetes in the Middle East and the seventh highest in the world, with an estimated population of seven million diagnosed with diabetes and more than three million with pre-diabetes.…”

Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Glycaemic Control in King Fahad Hospital

“…The prevalence of obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) climbs across all age groups over 15 years old with predominance for females [ 2 ]. Multiple factors are identified in developing obesity including diet as a major factor, followed by lack of physical activity and marital status [ 3 ]. A variety of co-morbidities are associated with obesity, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) [ 4 ].…”