Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Associations between Obesity-Related Parameters and Physical Activity: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Genetic epidemiological studies have shown that numerous genetic variants cumulatively increase obesity risk. Although genetically predisposed individuals are more prone to developing obesity, it has been shown that physical activity can modify the genetic predisposition to obesity. Therefore, genetic data obtained from earlier studies, including 30 polymorphisms located in 18 genes, were analyzed using novel methods such as the total genetic score and Biofilter 2.4 software to combine genotypic and phenotypic information for nine obesity-related traits measured before and after the realization of the 12-week training program. The results revealed six genes whose genotypes were most important for post-training changes—LEP, LEPR, ADIPOQ, ADRA2A, ADRB3, and DRD2. Five noteworthy pairwise interactions, LEP × LEPR, ADRB2 × ADRB3, ADRA2A × ADRB3, ADRA2A × ADRB2, ADRA2A × DRD2, and three specific interactions demonstrating significant associations with key parameters crucial for health, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and fat-free mass (FFM), were also identified. The molecular basis of training adaptation described in this study would have an enormous impact on the individualization of training programs, which, designed according to a given person’s genetic profile, will be effective and safe intervention strategies for preventing obesity and improving health.