Tendency toward type II diabetes may be slightly influenced by genetic makeup, according to a new study

However, obesity is a still a major cause of type II diabetes. Thus, research needs to continue in order to determine a link between the gene, physical characteristics and diabetes. Researchers, though, are confident that the gene can be used as a predictor for the disease for those who follow a disease promotion lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.).

• Obesity has always borne the risk of diabetes.
• Obese people may be a t a higher risk of having diabetes than non-obese people.
• A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center of US suggests that the higher risk of diabetes associated with obesity do have a genetic component.
• The study had evaluated the role played by ENPP1 K121Q polymorphism in predicting diabetes type II in people.
• The study was conducted on 679 South Asians residing in Chennai, 1083 South Asians living in Dallas, Texas and 858 Caucasians living in Dallas, Texas.
• While 25% of the people in Chennai belonging to the non-diabetic group were carrying the gene polymorphic ENPP1 121Q allele, 34% of the diabetics in Chennai had the same gene.
• For the subjects in Dallas, the prevalence of the gene in the non-diabetic group was 33% as against 45% of the diabetic group.
• The researchers are of the opinion that still more studies are required to establish the relationship between the physical characteristics or phenotype and the genetic composition or the genotype.
• Yet, the researchers are certain that the study supports the assumption that gene ENPP1 121Q may increase the susceptibility of people to type II diabetes.