| Title: | Genetic risk of obesity as a modifier of associations between neighbourhood environment and body mass index: an observational study of 335 046 UK Biobank participants |
| Journal: | BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health |
| Published: | 5 Oct 2020 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33521535/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000107 |
| URL: | https://nutrition.bmj.com/content/bmjnph/3/2/247.full.pdf |
Publication 4937
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is growing recognition that recent global increases in obesity are the product of a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. However, in gene-environment studies of obesity, 'environment' usually refers to individual behavioural factors that influence energy balance, whereas more upstream environmental factors are overlooked. We examined gene-environment interactions between genetic risk of obesity and two neighbourhood characteristics likely to be associated with obesity (proximity to takeaway/fast-food outlets and availability of physical activity facilities).</p>
METHODS: We used data from 335 046 adults aged 40-70 in the UK Biobank cohort to conduct a population-based cross-sectional study of interactions between neighbourhood characteristics and genetic risk of obesity, in relation to body mass index (BMI). Proximity to a fast-food outlet was defined as distance from home address to nearest takeaway/fast-food outlet, and availability of physical activity facilities as the number of formal physical activity facilities within 1 km of home address. Genetic risk of obesity was operationalised by weighted Genetic Risk Scores of 91 or 69 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), and by six individual SNPs considered separately. Multivariable, mixed-effects models with product terms for the gene-environment interactions were estimated.</p>
RESULTS: After accounting for likely confounding, the association between proximity to takeaway/fast-food outlets and BMI was stronger among those at increased genetic risk of obesity, with evidence of an interaction with polygenic risk scores (p=0.018 and p=0.028 for 69-SNP and 91-SNP scores, respectively) and in particular with a SNP linked to MC4R (p=0.009), a gene known to regulate food intake. We found very little evidence of gene-environment interaction for the availability of physical activity facilities.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals at an increased genetic risk of obesity may be more sensitive to exposure to the local fast-food environment. Ensuring that neighbourhood residential environments are designed to promote a healthy weight may be particularly important for those with greater genetic susceptibility to obesity.</p>
5 Authors
- Kate E Mason
- Luigi Palla
- Neil Pearce
- Jody Phelan
- Steven Cummins
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 17380 | The local built environment, obesity and diabetes in the UK: investigating interactions with genetic susceptibility and other individual-level characteristics |
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