The impact of TNF-α 308G>A gene polymorphism on children’s overweight risk and an assessment of biochemical variables: A cross-sectional single-center experience

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the role of TNF-α 308 G>A gene polymorphism in children's overweight risk so as to correlate this polymorphism with anthropometric and biochemical variables. Materials and method: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 188 Romanian children ages 5–18 years, who were classified into controls (Group 1; n = 109) and overweight children (Group 2; n = 79). Results: Higher values of MUAC and TST (p A polymorphism and weight status in the studied population (p = 0.009). There was also a positive association between the variant genotypes (GA or AA) of TNF-α 308G>A gene polymorphism and weight status, which was more frequently found among normal weight than overweight children (74.5% versus 25.5%, respectively). The final logistic multivariable included five independent variables (TNF-α genotype, gender, cholesterol, ASAT, and ALAT), which were statistically significant predictors with negative/positive effects on children's overweight risk; this model explained 30% of the variance in the outcome variable. Conclusion: The variant genotype of TNF-α 308G>A gene polymorphism was more frequent among normal weight children. In the presence of other covariates, such as age, gender, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, ALAT, and glycemia, the TNF-α 308 G>A gene polymorphism remained an independent protective factor for children's overweight status. Key Words: children, overweight risk, TNF-α 308 G>A polymorphism