What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Weight and Diet Response: 10/10 evidence, 20 publications.
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Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Typical BMI and Better Response to Low-Fat Diets
A typical body mass index and lower risk of obesity characterize this genetic profile. Weight loss is often more successful on low-fat, high-protein diets.
What this genotype means: Typical body mass index; Lower risk of obesity; Favorable response to low-fat diets.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/G
Slightly Higher BMI Risk and Mixed Diet Response
A slightly higher body mass index and obesity risk are associated with this genotype. Weight loss response to dietary fat and protein is intermediate and less pronounced.
What this genotype means: Slightly higher average BMI; Slightly increased obesity risk; Variable response to dietary fat ratios.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Higher BMI Risk and Better Response to High-Fat Diets
A higher average body mass index and obesity risk are linked to this genotype. Weight loss may be more effective on a high-fat diet rather than a low-fat one.
What this genotype means: Higher average body mass index; Increased risk of obesity; Better weight loss on high-fat diets.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: TFAP2B encodes transcription factor AP-2 beta, a protein that plays a critical role in adipose tissue development and glucose metabolism. It is highly expressed in fat cells and regulates genes involved in lipid storage and insulin sensitivity. Research shows that variation in this gene can alter how the body stores fat and responds to different macronutrients in the diet.
Variant Impact: The rs987237 variant is an intronic change in the TFAP2B gene that is strongly associated with body mass index and obesity risk. This genetic variation influences how individuals respond to dietary fat and protein during weight loss and maintenance. The G allele is the minor, risk-associated allele, whereas the A allele is the major, protective allele.
Key Insight: Carriers of the A/A genotype lose more weight on low-fat, high-protein diets, whereas G/G carriers actually lose more weight on high-fat diets.
Location: TFAP2B. Chromosome 6 · 6p12.3 · 50.8 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 68.8%; European 66.2%; African 80.7%; East Asian 69.9%; South Asian 61.1%; Americas 51.8%; Ashkenazi 71.2%; Finnish 64.9%; Middle Eastern 71.7%; Amish 76.6%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Global 28.0%; European 30.3%; African 18.3%; East Asian 27.4%; South Asian 34.1%; Americas 40.3%; Ashkenazi 26.4%; Finnish 31.3%; Middle Eastern 25.9%; Amish 21.9%.
Estimated AG genotype frequency.
Global 3.2%; European 3.5%; African 1.0%; East Asian 2.7%; South Asian 4.8%; Americas 7.9%; Ashkenazi 2.4%; Finnish 3.8%; Middle Eastern 2.3%; Amish 1.6%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Obesity & Body Composition
Body Mass Index. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20935630. Typical BMI.
Obesity. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 19557161. Typical Risk.
Weight Loss Response. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 24081236. Low-Fat Benefit.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Typical Ratio.
Metabolic Syndrome & Insulin Resistance
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39349817. Typical Risk.
Showing effects for A/G genotype
Body Mass Index. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20935630. Slightly Higher BMI.
Obesity. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 19557161. Slightly Higher Risk.
Weight Loss Response. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 24081236. Typical Response.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Slightly Higher Ratio.
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39349817. Slightly Higher Risk.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Body Mass Index. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20935630. Higher BMI.
Obesity. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 19557161. Higher Risk.
Weight Loss Response. Evidence: 3/10. Source: PMID 24081236. High-Fat Benefit.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 30239722. Higher Ratio.
Metabolic Syndrome. Evidence: 6/10. Source: PMID 39349817. Higher Risk.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Two copies of the A allele represent the most common genetic profile globally. Large-scale genome-wide association studies consistently link this profile to a typical body mass index and a lower risk of obesity compared to carrying the G allele [1]. Clinical trials, such as the DiOGenes study, show that weight loss is significantly greater when following a low-fat, high-protein diet [2]. Specifically, weight reduction is enhanced on low-fat diets, and weight maintenance is improved with higher protein intake [2] [3]. These findings suggest that a traditional low-fat, protein-rich dietary approach is highly effective for long-term weight management. Adhering to these dietary patterns supports optimal metabolic health for this genetic background.
Typical body mass index; Lower risk of obesity; Favorable response to low-fat diets.
Sample genotype: AG (Heterozygous)
One copy of the G allele is associated with a modest increase in body mass index and waist circumference [1]. Research indicates that the G allele may alter lipid metabolism and fat storage pathways regulated by the TFAP2B gene [2]. In dietary intervention studies, weight loss benefits from low-fat or high-protein diets are less clear-cut than in those with the A/A genotype [3]. Instead, the response to different macronutrient ratios is more variable, meaning that overall calorie restriction rather than a specific fat-to-carbohydrate ratio may be key for weight management. Regular physical activity remains highly beneficial for managing weight with this genotype [4].
Slightly higher average BMI; Slightly increased obesity risk; Variable response to dietary fat ratios.
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Two copies of the G allele are associated with the highest risk of obesity, elevated body mass index, and increased waist-hip ratio within this variant [1] [2]. However, clinical trials have uncovered a unique dietary interaction where weight loss is significantly greater on a high-fat diet compared to a low-fat diet under energy restriction [3]. Specifically, in the DiOGenes trial, weight loss was enhanced by an average of 2.6 kg on a high-fat diet [3]. Conversely, the typical weight-maintenance benefits of a high-protein diet are not observed, and weight regain may be more common on such regimens [3]. These findings suggest that a moderate-to-high-fat, lower-carbohydrate approach may be more compatible with this specific metabolic profile.
Higher average body mass index; Increased risk of obesity; Better weight loss on high-fat diets.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs2207139 · TFAP2B Gene · Chr 6 · Body Mass Index
rs10182181 · ADCY3 Gene · Chr 2 · Weight and Diet Response
rs10132280 · NOVA1 Gene · Chr 14 · Body Weight and Shape
Association analyses of 249,796 individuals reveal 18 new loci associated with body mass index.
The genetics of childhood obesity and interaction with dietary macronutrients.
Genome-wide physical activity interactions in adiposity - A meta-analysis of 200,452 adults.
Content updated August 2026.
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