UF Researcher Links Diabetes Receptor Gene to Increased Childhood Obesity

Certain genetic variations, gestational diabetes linked to unhealthy weight gain in children

A study led by a University of Florida College of Medicine researcher has found that certain genetic variations of a receptor targeted by popular weight loss drugs are associated with a higher risk of obesity for children who were also exposed to gestational diabetes in the womb.

Findings from the study, co-led by researchers at UF and the University of Colorado, could help improve obesity prediction by spotlighting a genetic variant that may interact with gestational diabetes exposure, said study author Kylie Harrall, Ph.D., a research assistant professor in the Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics.

If a child who was exposed to gestational diabetes also has one of the variations of the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, or GLP-1R gene, Harrall said, earlier weight-loss interventions might be possible.

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