Association of TCF7L2 Rs12255372 with Obesity and Adiposity Phenotypes Among Indonesian Medical Residents: A Cross-Sectional Genetic Association Study

Abstract

Obesity is a complex phenotype arising from interactions between genetic susceptibility and environmental influences. This cross-sectional genetic association study examined the relationship between the TCF7L2 rs12255372 polymorphism and obesity and adiposity phenotypes among 152 Indonesian medical residents aged 25–45 years. Anthropometric and body-composition measures included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body-fat percentage, and visceral fat. The rs12255372 variant was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction followed by direct sequencing. Overall, 91 participants (59.9%) had obesity and 61 (40.1%) had normal weight. The GG and GT genotypes were identified in 96 (63.2%) and 56 (36.8%) participants, respectively; no TT homozygotes were observed. Obesity was more frequent among participants with the GG genotype than among those with GT (78.1% vs 28.6%; p<0.001). GG carriers also had higher BMI, a greater prevalence of increased waist circumference, higher body-fat percentage, and higher visceral-fat values (all p<0.05). In multivariable logistic regression, the GG genotype remained associated with obesity after adjustment for sex and family history of obesity (adjusted OR 8.63; 95% CI 3.79–19.65; p<0.001). These findings indicate a strong association between rs12255372 and obesity-related phenotypes in this cohort, although the allelic direction differs from some previous populations. Larger population-based studies with ancestry adjustment and broader genetic characterization are needed to replicate these findings.