On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations

Qasim, A.; Turcotte, M.; de Souza, R. J.; Samaan, M. C.; Champredon, D.; Dushoff, J.; Speakman, J. R.; Meyre, D.

doi:10.1111/obr.12625

Cited by 241Genetic Associations and EpidemiologyEvolution and Genetic DynamicsObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations

Qasim, A., Turcotte, M., de Souza, R. J., Samaan, M. C., Champredon, D., Dushoff, J., Speakman, J. R., Meyre, D.·2018·Obesity Reviews

DOI 10.1111/obr.12625

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Abstract

Summary: Genetic predisposition to obesity presents a paradox: how do genetic variants with a detrimental impact on human health persist through evolutionary time? Numerous hypotheses, such as the thrifty genotype hypothesis, attempt to explain this phenomenon yet fail to provide a justification for the modern obesity epidemic. In this critical review, we appraise existing theories explaining the evolutionary origins of obesity and explore novel biological and sociocultural agents of evolutionary change to help explain the modern‐day distribution of obesity‐predisposing variants. Genetic drift, acting as a form of ‘blind justice,’ may randomly affect allele frequencies across generations while gene pleiotropy and adaptations to diverse environments may explain the rise and subsequent selection of obesity risk alleles. As an adaptive response, epigenetic regulation of gene expression may impact the manifestation of genetic predisposition to obesity. Finally, exposure to malnutrition and disease epidemics in the wake of oppressive social systems, culturally mediated notions of attractiveness and desirability, and diverse mating systems may play a role in shaping the human genome. As an important first step towards the identification of important drivers of obesity gene evolution, this review may inform empirical research focused on testing evolutionary theories by way of population genetics and mathematical modelling.

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In two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies, no difference was found in major postoperative complications between ERAS and standard care in bariatric surgery (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.51).
“Two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies addressed the comparative effect of ERAS versus standard care in bariatric surgery [1, 2, 65, 66] No differences were found in major (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.51) and minor postoperative complications (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.41), and mortality (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.2).”
From Clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) on bariatric surgery: update 2020 endorsed by IFSO-EC, EASO and ESPCOP (2020) · cites this paper as [1]
In two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies, no difference was found in minor postoperative complications between ERAS and standard care in bariatric surgery (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.41).
“Two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies addressed the comparative effect of ERAS versus standard care in bariatric surgery [1, 2, 65, 66] No differences were found in major (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.51) and minor postoperative complications (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.41), and mortality (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.2).”
From Clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) on bariatric surgery: update 2020 endorsed by IFSO-EC, EASO and ESPCOP (2020) · cites this paper as [1]
In two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies, no difference was found in mortality between ERAS and standard care in bariatric surgery (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.2).
“Two meta-analyses of 11 observational and randomized studies addressed the comparative effect of ERAS versus standard care in bariatric surgery [1, 2, 65, 66] No differences were found in major (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.51) and minor postoperative complications (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.41), and mortality (RR 0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 2.2).”
From Clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) on bariatric surgery: update 2020 endorsed by IFSO-EC, EASO and ESPCOP (2020) · cites this paper as [1]

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Clinical practice guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) on bariatric surgery: update 2020 endorsed by IFSO-EC, EASO and ESPCOP
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Authors: Qasim, A., Turcotte, M., de Souza, R. J., Samaan, M. C., Champredon, D., Dushoff, J., Speakman, J. R., & Meyre, D.
Affiliations: McMaster University (CA)
Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact McMaster University Hamilton ON Canada
McMaster Children's Hospital (CA)
York University (CA)
University of Aberdeen (GB)
Corresponding author: Meyre, D.
ORCID: Qasim, A.
Samaan, M. C.
Champredon, D.
Dushoff, J.
Speakman, J. R.
Meyre, D.
Venue: Obesity Reviews
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2017-11-16
Volume: 19
Issue: 2
Pages: 121-149
ISSN: 1467-7881 (ISSN-L)
1467-789X
DOI: 10.1111/obr.12625
OpenAlex: W2770109011
Cited by: 241
References: 31
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 25 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 39 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 11 · 2016: 1
FWCI: 2.50
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations: Obesity Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: Canada Research Chairs
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Associations and Epidemiology
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords: obesity, genetic predisposition to obesity, thrifty genotype hypothesis, genetic drift, epigenetic regulation, malnutrition, social determinants of health, mating systems, cultural evolution, population genetics, mathematical modeling
MeSH terms: Adaptation, Physiological, Energy Metabolism, Humans, Models, Theoretical, Obesity, Genetic Variation, Genetic Predisposition to Disease, Genetic Drift, Epigenesis, Genetic, Adiposity, Gene-Environment Interaction

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On the origin of obesity: identifying the biological, environmental and cultural drivers of genetic risk among human populations

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