Genetic linkage and imprinting effects on body mass index in children and young adults.

Body mass index (BMI) is used as a measure of fatness. Here we performed a genome-wide scan for genes related to BMI, while allowing for the possible effects of imprinting. We applied a sib pair linkage analysis to a sample of primarily children and young adults by using the Haseman-Elston method, which we modified to model the separate effects of paternally and maternally derived genetic factors. After stratification of sib pairs according to age, a number of regions showing linkage with BMI were identified. Most linkage and imprinting effects were found in children 5-11 years of age. Strongest evidences for linkage in children were found on chromosome 20 at 20p11.2-pter near the marker D20S851 (LOD(Total)=4.08, P=0.000046) and near the marker D20S482 (LOD(Total) =3.55, P=0.00016), and Chromosome 16 at 16p13 near the marker ATA41E04 (LOD(Total) =3.12, P=0.00025), and those loci did not show significant evidence for imprinting. Six regions showing evidence of imprinting were 3p23-p24 (paternal expression), 4q31.1-q32 (maternal expression), 10p14-q11 (paternal expression), and 12p12-pter (paternal expression) in children, and 4q31-qter (paternal expression) and 8p (paternal expression) in adults.