Perspectives and challenges of epigenetic determinants of childhood obesity: A systematic review
File(s)Figure1.tiff (646.48 KB) Main document_clean.docx (398.25 KB)
Accepted version
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The tremendous increase in childhood obesity prevalence over the last few decades cannot merely be explained by genetics and evolutionary changes in the genome, implying that gene–environment interactions, such as epigenetic modifications, likely play a major role. This systematic review aims to summarize the evidence of the association between epigenetics and childhood obesity. A literature search was performed via PubMed and Scopus engines using a combination of terms related to epigenetics and pediatric obesity. Articles studying the association between epigenetic mechanisms (including DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, non-coding RNAs, and chromatin and histones modification) and obesity and/or overweight (or any related anthropometric parameters) in children (0–18 years) were included. The risk of bias was assessed with a modified Newcastle–Ottawa scale for non-randomized studies. One hundred twenty-one studies explored epigenetic changes related to childhood obesity. DNA methylation was the most widely investigated mechanism (N = 101 studies), followed by non-coding RNAs (N = 19 studies) with evidence suggestive of an association with childhood obesity for DNA methylation of specific genes and microRNAs (miRNAs). One study, focusing on histones modification, was identified. Heterogeneity of findings may have hindered more insights into the epigenetic changes related to childhood obesity. Gaps and challenges that future research should face are herein described.
Date Issued
2022-01
Date Acceptance
2021-10-11
Citation
Obesity Reviews, 2022, 23 (S1), pp.1-13
ISSN
1467-7881
Publisher
Wiley
Start Page
1
End Page
13
Journal / Book Title
Obesity Reviews
Volume
23
Issue
S1
Copyright Statement
© 2021 World Obesity Federation. This is the accepted version of the following article: Alfano, R, Robinson, O, Handakas, E, Nawrot, TS, Vineis, P, Plusquin, M. Perspectives and challenges of epigenetic determinants of childhood obesity: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews. 2022; 23( S1):e13389, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13389
Sponsor
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Medical Research Council (MRC)
Commission of the European Communities
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000721810000001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Grant Number
MR/S03532X/1
EP/V520354/1
77454
Subjects
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Endocrinology & Metabolism
epigenetics
pediatric obesity
STOP project
systematic review
BODY-MASS INDEX
DNA METHYLATION
INSULIN-RESISTANCE
MATERNAL OBESITY
PEDIATRIC OBESITY
CHILDREN
EXPRESSION
WEIGHT
GENES
MIRNA
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e13389
Date Publish Online
2021-11-23