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Epigenome-wide association study of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio and their associations with dietary patterns in Korean adults

Summary

This research examined how different types of obesity (overall body weight versus belly fat) are associated with changes in DNA methylation patterns in Korean adults. The study found that certain DNA regions become less methylated in obese individuals, and that these epigenetic changes are linked to different dietary patterns. The findings suggest that specific foods may influence these epigenetic modifications differently depending on whether someone has overall obesity or more belly fat, opening new possibilities for using diet to prevent or manage obesity.

Background

Obesity and abdominal obesity contribute to significant metabolic health risks through distinct pathophysiological mechanisms. DNA methylation patterns have been identified as associated with adiposity measures, but previous epigenome-wide association studies in Korean populations have been limited. The relationship between dietary patterns and epigenetic modifications in obesity remains understudied.

Objective

To conduct an epigenome-wide association study identifying differential DNA methylation patterns associated with BMI-defined and abdominal obesity and explore their relationships with dietary intake among Korean adults. The study aimed to reveal epigenetic mechanisms underlying obesity in the Korean population and highlight potential biomarkers for intervention strategies.

Results

The study identified 23 DMPs associated with abdominal obesity and 1,931 DMPs associated with severe BMI-defined obesity, with four CpG sites common to both phenotypes. The most significant associations were at cg10323433 and cg10501210 in HTR2A gene. Most DMPs (>75%) showed hypomethylation in obesity with progressive changes correlating with obesity severity, and distinct dietary associations were found between WHR-related and BMI-related DMPs.

Conclusion

Distinct associations between methylation patterns and dietary components suggest that different foods may influence epigenetic modifications specific to overall adiposity or fat distribution. These findings provide potential targets for nutritional interventions to modify obesity-related epigenetic signatures and enhance understanding of the roles of genetics, epigenetics, and environmental factors in obesity development.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Epigenome-wide association study,
  • Source: PMID: 40770034, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-13868-6
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