Obesity genetically linked to loneliness, say scientists

Researchers have discovered that similar areas in genes which increase the likelihood of people being overweight also influence social isolation.

The study, at the University of Cambridge, is the first to show a genetic link between loneliness and obesity, both of which are reaching epidemic levels in the UK, reports The Daily Telegraph. 

Dr John Perry, one of the authors of the study, said: “There is always a complex mix of genes and environment, but it does suggest that at a population level, if we could tackle obesity we would be able to bring down loneliness as well.”

The researchers analysed the genetic variations in 487,647 participants who had answered questions about their perceived loneliness, the frequency of their interactions with others, and the quality of these interactions.

Participants who considered themselves to be lonely had “different spellings” of their DNA at 15 genetic locations. The same genetic areas were similar for people who are overweight, and are linked to a brain region associated with emotional self-control, which may also trigger over-eating.

Certain genes also make it more likely that a person will be sociable, the scientists say in a research paper published in the journal Nature Communications.

 Perry explained: “We often think that loneliness is driven purely by our surrounding environment and life experiences, but this study demonstrates that genes can also play a role.”

However, he cautioned that “just because a genetic trait is associated with a trait, doesn’t mean you will definitely have that trait”.