Association of Genetic Variant in MC4R (rs17782313) Gene with Obesity and Other Health Behaviors among Selected Bangladeshi Population: A Population-based Case-control Study

Background and Aims: This study aim to investigate the influence of a gene polymorphism (rs17782313) on obesity-related traits and biochemical parameters in the Bangladeshi population and the association between this polymorphism and lifestyle-related risk factors. Methods: The study was carried out with 320 samples of which 160 were obese and 160 were healthy people. BMI, MUAC, waist and hip circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lipid profile, and other socio-demographic and anthropometric profile were accounted for to assess the metabolic properties which are associated with obesity. The tetra-primer Amplified Refractory Mutation System Polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) was used to genotype rs17782313 in the MC4R gene by using the isolated DNA from collected peripheral blood from the selected sample. Result: The prevalence of hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes were significantly higher among the case group (p<.05) as compared with healthy people. BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference were significantly higher among people carrying minor allele C (p<.05). We also found a significant difference in dominant (CC vs. CT+TT), co-dominant (CC vs. CT and TT), and recessive (TT vs. CC+CT) model between case and control group (p<.05), which may indicate that rs17782313 in MC4R significantly predict obesity. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study shows the significant association of rs17782313 in MC4R with obesity and obesity-related other health problems. The study has to be conducted further in a broad population to establish a strong association. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This work was supported by the NSTU research grant 2020-2021 by the Research cell of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU/RC-FTNS/T-21/71). ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: The ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee of the Noakhali Science and Technology University. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data will be made available upon reasonable request.