REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 12, 2024 — A new study from deCODE genetics/Amgen underscores the significance of BMI in the development of disease, suggesting that simply reducing BMI could decrease the risk of several diseases.

Researchers at deCODE genetics, a subsidiary of Amgen, have published a study in Nature Communications that clarifies how Body Mass Index (BMI) impacts the likelihood of various diseases commonly associated with obesity. Utilizing genetic data from Iceland and the UK Biobank, the study investigated whether disease risk linked to BMI-related genetic variations is fully or partially explained by their effect on BMI.

The findings revealed that for certain conditions, such as fatty liver disease, glucose intolerance, and knee replacement, the genetic connection to disease disappeared when BMI was taken into account. For other conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and stroke, the effects were considerably reduced but not completely explained by BMI.

The study observed similar patterns in both men and women, although some variations emerged, particularly for myocardial infarction (heart attack), suggesting that sex might play a role in how BMI influences disease risk. The scientists also noted that other factors, such as fluctuations in BMI over time rather than BMI measured at a single point or other factors strongly correlated with BMI, might account for some of the remaining risk.

This research highlights the critical role of BMI in the development of diseases that are more prevalent in obese individuals than others, implying that simply reducing BMI could lower the risk of these diseases.

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SOURCE deCODE genetics