title: Genetic and epigenetic associations to obesity-related appetite phenotypes among African-American children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic and epigenetic variations may be an important contributer to altered eating behaviors in childhood which may lead to weight gain and obesity later in life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate epigenetic as well as genetic associations with appetite in young children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 32 non-obese and 32 obese African-American children aged 5-6 years. Saliva was collected from each child, and RNA and DNA were extracted for analysis. Individuals were genotyped for eating- and obesity-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms in seven candidate genes (FTO, MAOA, SH2B1, LEPR, DNMT3B, BDNF and CCKAR), and DNA methylation levels were measured in the upstream promoter region of each. Transcript levels of MAOA and FTO were also assessed. The Children's Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) was used to assess the aspects of appetite. Child obesity was assessed using measured height and weight, and percent body fat was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Food responsiveness was higher and satiety responsiveness was lower among obese than non-obese female children (P = 0.001 and P = 0.031), but did not differ among male children. Epigenetic analysis of the BDNF promoter revealed associations with altered satiety responsiveness among female children (P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings provide new evidence of epigenetic associations with altered appetite among young African-American girls.
authors.affiliation: Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sapienza
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Center for Obesity Research and Education, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Fisher
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D001741:Black or African American / Q000235:genetics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001066:Appetite / Q000235:genetics*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010641:Phenotype; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D012527:Satiation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Appetite; epigenetics; genetics; obesity