BMI variants are generally associated with related cardiometabolic traits in accord with established epidemiological relationships. This could be due to shared genetic effects or to other causes of cross-phenotypic correlations. However, some BMI-associated variants have effects on related traits counter to epidemiological expectations. Once better understood, these mechanisms may not only help to explain why not all obese individuals develop related metabolic diseases, but also suggest possible mechanisms to prevent development of metabolic disease in those who are already obese.
