The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and obesity risk in teens: Evidence-based meta-analysis

Abstract Objective This meta-analysis aims evaluate the association of the polymorphism rs9939609 of FTO with the risk of obesity among children and adolescents, based on the assessment of four genetic models: codominant, dominant, recessive alleles model. Methods Case-control studies, published between the years 2011–2015, were selected from tree available databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) and were analysed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. Thirteen studies were included totalling 15,613 participants, divided into 7311 cases and 8302 controls. Results The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was significantly associated with increased risk of obesity in children and adolescents for homozygous genotypes AA and heterozygous AT ( TT vs. AT  +  AA : OR  = 0.723, 95% CI 0.629 to 0.832; p Conclusion This meta-analysis shows that the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism in the gene is a risk factor for obesity in children and adolescents with the presence of the A allele, both homozygous genotype AA situation, as heterozygous AT .