Population-based genetic analysis of the prevalence of obesity in Chuvash Republic

The objective of the present work was to study the prevalence of obesity among 271 residents of the Chuvash Republic taking account of their sex and ethnic background. Simultaneously, genetic predisposition to obesity was assessed from the presence or absence of this condition in 955 blood relatives of the probands using Edwards' coefficient of genetic determination and coefficient of association. Results of the study suggest higher prevalence of obesity in women than in men and in Russians compared with Chuvashes. Genetic determination of obesity was found to be independent of sex and type of fat distribution. The risk of developing obesity proved to be significantly higher in the probands from families in which both parents were obese than from those with only one obese parent.