The Association Between Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism and Obesity among Young Adults: A Study from Jordan

Background: Obesity is very common among the population, including young people. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a role in differentiation and fat loading in adipocytes. In this study, the association between the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and obesity among young adults in Jordan was investigated. Methods: The study included 583 young adults (age range: 18–45 years) of both genders. Study participants were categorized into two groups, obese or nonobese, based on body mass index (BMI). The ACE polymorphism was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction technique. Results: The D allele is common among Jordanians with a frequency of 60.7%. The results found an association between ACE (I/D) and obesity among female participants ( P < 0.05). Females with genotype II were significantly less likely to be obese than females with DD/DI genotypes. In support of the genotypic distribution, the results showed a lower BMI in females with genotype II compared to females with genotypes ID or DD. However, no significant association was found between ACE (I/D) and obesity or BMI among male participants. Finally, no effect of the ACE (I/D) genotypes on the lipid profile was detected. Conclusion: ACE (I/D) may be associated with obesity and BMI among young adult females in Jordan.