Using genetic data, researchers found no evidence that body fat percentage directly causes diabetes, heart disease, or changes in cholesterol/triglycerides in men or women.
Scientific Claim
Mendelian randomization analyses using body fat percentage-associated genetic variants did not provide evidence for a causal relationship between body fat percentage and type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or triglycerides in either sex, with MR Egger p-values >0.05 for all outcomes and significant heterogeneity (p<2E-110).
Original Statement
“MR Egger method did not show any significant causal effect for BFPAdj on T2D (p = 0.58), CAD (p = 0.95), HDL (p = 0.63) or TG (p = 0.58). [...] highly significant evidence for heterogeneity (p< 2E-110).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim accurately reports the MR results without implying causation, using appropriate association language for observational data.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Beyond apples and pears: sex-specific genetics of body fat percentage