ABSTRACT
Objective The fat mass-and obesity-associated (FTO) gene is related to increased body mass index (BMI) and elevated energy intake .This study explored the contribution of the interaction between FTO gene polymorphism and 1ife style to the risk of obesity in the Kazakh schoolchildren . Methods A total of 279 Kazakh schoolchildren aged 6-13 years were selected from Yili Ka-zakh Child Obesity Study and divided into an obesity group (n=141) and a normal weight group (n=138) based on the BMI cutoffs rec-ommended by the Chinese Working Group on Obesity for Children .The children were subjected to anthropometric measurement , question-naire investigation , and determination of the rs9939609 polymorphism of the FTO gene. Results Six risk factors of obesity were extrac-ted by factor analysis, including harmful eating habits, appetite status, outdoor activities, fussiness about food, activity mode, and hours of sleep.Logistic regression analysis showed that the interaction between rs 9939609 polymorphism and appetite status constituted an obe-sity risk of 76.49%, and that between rs9939609 polymorphism and outdoor activities constituted an obesity risk of 79.95%. Conclusion Appetite status and outdoor activities might modify the relationship of the FTO gene with the risk of obesity in Kazakh school-children.However, further prospective interventions are needed verify the influence of the interaction between the FTO gene and life style on the risk of obesity.