Prior genome-wide association studies have focused on using anthropometric measures to define body fat distribution. The GIANT consortium identified 14 loci associated with WHR adjusted for BMI [32], the majority of which demonstrated stronger associations in women as compared to men. More recently, a SNP at the IRS1 locus was identified in association with body percent fat in men, but not women [41]. We showed that the VAT/SAT ratio in men was associated with this same IRS1 SNP [41]. Taken together, these prior data suggest that additional loci may exist in association with fat distribution above and beyond those associated with generalized adiposity. In the present study, we identified a new locus in association with VAT in women, highlighting the utility of more precise phenotyping of abdominal fat distribution.
