Biallelic and triallelic approaches of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism are associated with food intake and nutritional status in childhood

In the biallelic approach, the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is associated with food intake, body mass index Z-score and sum of skinfolds in children, reinforcing the role of the serotonin transporter in childhood obesity. Our data indicate that the biallelic approach is more sensible than the triallelic approach for detected associations with food intake and nutritional status in childhood. Identifying susceptibility genes in early life could provide the foundations for interventions in lifestyle to prevent children to become obese adults.