Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases and its prevention is essential in terms of public health. Body weight is influenced by a genetic predisposition as well as food intake, and exercise. In about 30% of the Japanese, a specific mutation [codon 64 TGG (Trp) →CGG (Arg)] of β3-adrenergic receptor gene is observed. The basal metabolic rate is about 200 kcal/day lower in the individuals with this type of mutation than in those without. We conducted a weight loss program which included analysis of β3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism, monitoring of eating behavior, and promotion for lifestyle modifications by public health nurses. The subjects for analyses were 39 Japanese men (mean age 37.8±8.6 years) and six Japanese women (46.8±6.4 years), with body mass index (BMI) over 24. They had not been receiving medical treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. The ratio of the normal group (no mutation at the specific site of β3-adrenergic receptor gene) to the mutation group were 73% to 27%. After we explained the results of the genetic testing to the participants, public health nurses encouraged them to change their lifestyle and provided dietary guidance. After 3 and 8 months intervention, reductions in BMI were observed 75% and 57% of the subjects in the normal group, and 92% and 67% of the subjects in the mutation group, respectively. At any time point, the changes were not statistically significant between the normal and mutation groups. Behavior modification was observed 49% of the subjects in the normal group and 75% in the mutation group. More than 80% of the participants were of the opinion that the genetic testing had been useful for them to reconsider their health status.

Obesity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases and its prevention is essential in terms of public health. Body weight is influenced by a genetic predisposition as well as food intake, and exercise. In about 30% of the Japanese, a specific mutation [codon 64 TGG (Trp) →CGG (Arg)] of β3-adrenergic receptor gene is observed. The basal metabolic rate is about 200 kcal/day lower in the individuals with this type of mutation than in those without. We conducted a weight loss program which included analysis of β3-adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism, monitoring of eating behavior, and promotion for lifestyle modifications by public health nurses. The subjects for analyses were 39 Japanese men (mean age 37.8±8.6 years) and six Japanese women (46.8±6.4 years), with body mass index (BMI) over 24. They had not been receiving medical treatment for lifestyle-related diseases. The ratio of the normal group (no mutation at the specific site of β3-adrenergic receptor gene) to the mutation group were 73% to 27%. After we explained the results of the genetic testing to the participants, public health nurses encouraged them to change their lifestyle and provided dietary guidance. After 3 and 8 months intervention, reductions in BMI were observed 75% and 57% of the subjects in the normal group, and 92% and 67% of the subjects in the mutation group, respectively. At any time point, the changes were not statistically significant between the normal and mutation groups. Behavior modification was observed 49% of the subjects in the normal group and 75% in the mutation group. More than 80% of the participants were of the opinion that the genetic testing had been useful for them to reconsider their health status.
Mutation ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Life Style ; Public health service ; gene polymorphism