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Barbosa JPDAS, Basso L, Bartholomeu T, Rezende JAS, de Oliveira JA, Prista A, Tani G, Maia JAR, Forjaz CLDM. Familial aggregation and heritability of markers of metabolic risk, physical activity, and physical fitness in nuclear families from Muzambinho (Minas Gerais, Brazil). ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2019; 63:215-221. [PMID: 31066762 PMCID: PMC10522208 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated the familial aggregation and heritability of markers of metabolic risk, physical activity, and physical fitness in nuclear families from Muzambinho (Minas Gerais, Brazil). SUBJECTS AND METHODS The study included members of 139 families, comprising 97 fathers (aged 40 ± 7 years), 129 mothers (35 ± 6 years), 136 sons (12 ± 4 years), and 121 daughters (12 ± 5 years). Evaluated markers included (A) body mass index, waist circumference, glycemia, and cholesterolemia, as metabolic risk markers; (B) total weekly volume of physical activity, as a physical activity marker; and (C) relative muscle strength, as a physical fitness marker. Correlations between family members and heritability (h2) were estimated using the software S.A.G.E. RESULTS Significant familial correlations were obtained between parents-offspring for glycemia and cholesterolemia (both ρ = 0.21, p < 0.05) and relative muscle strength (ρ = 0.23, p < 0.05), and between siblings for waist circumference, glycemia, total weekly volume of physical activity, and relative muscle strength (ρ variation 0.25 to 0.36, p < 0.05). Heritability values were significant for almost all variables (h2 variations: 20% to 57% for metabolic risk markers, 22% for the total weekly volume of physical activity, and 50% for relative muscle strength), except for waist circumference (h2 = 15%, p = 0.059). CONCLUSION The presence of significant correlations between family members and/or significant heritability strengthens the possible genetic and/or common familial environment influence on metabolic risk markers, total weekly volume of physical activity, and relative muscle strength.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Paulo dos Anjos Souza Barbosa
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade MotoraEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade Motora, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Luciano Basso
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Comportamento MotorEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Comportamento Motor, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Teresa Bartholomeu
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade MotoraEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade Motora, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Januária Andrea Souza Rezende
- Instituto Federal do Sul de Minas GeraisInstituto Federal do Sul de MinasMuzambinhoMGBrasilInstituto Federal do Sul de Minas – Campus Muzambinho, Muzambinho, MG, Brasil
| | - Jorge Alberto de Oliveira
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Comportamento MotorEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Comportamento Motor, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - António Prista
- Centro de Investigação e Desenvolvimento do Desporto e Actividade FísicaFaculdade de Educação Física e DesportoUniversidade PedagógicaMaputoMoçambique Núcleo de Investigação em Actividade Física e Saúde, Centro de Investigação e Desenvolvimento do Desporto e Actividade Física (CIDAF), Faculdade de Educação Física e Desporto (FEFD), Universidade Pedagógica, Maputo, Moçambique
| | - Go Tani
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Comportamento MotorEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Comportamento Motor, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - José António Ribeiro Maia
- Universidade do PortoCentro de Investigação, Formação, Intervenção e Inovação em DesportoFaculdade de DesportoUniversidade do PortoPortoPortugal Laboratório de Cineantropometria e Gabinete de Estatística Aplicada, Centro de Investigação, Formação, Intervenção e Inovação em Desporto (CIFI2D), Faculdade de Desporto, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Lúcia de Moraes Forjaz
- Universidade de São PauloLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade MotoraEscola de Educação Física e EsporteUniversidade de São PauloSPBrasilLaboratório de Hemodinâmica da Atividade Motora, Escola de Educação Física e Esporte, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Sherlock JM, Verweij KJH, Murphy SC, Heath AC, Martin NG, Zietsch BP. The Role of Genes and Environment in Degree of Partner Self-Similarity. Behav Genet 2016; 47:25-35. [PMID: 27590902 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-016-9808-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Choice of romantic partner is an enormously important component of human life, impacting almost every facet of day-to-day existence, however; the processes underlying this choice are remarkably complex and have so far been largely resistant to scientific explanation. One consistent finding is that, on average, members of romantic dyads tend to be more alike than would be expected by chance. Selecting for self-similarity is at least partially driven by phenotypic matching wherein couples share similar phenotypes, and preferences for a number of these traits are partly genetically influenced (e.g., education, height, social attitudes and religiosity). This suggests that genetically influenced preferences for self-similarity might contribute to phenotypic matching (and thus assortative mating), but it has never been studied in actual couples. In the present study, we use a large sample of twins to model sources of variation in self-similarity between partners. Biometrical modelling revealed that very little of the variation in the tendency to assortatively mate across 14 traits was due to genetic effects (7 %) or the shared environment of twins (0 %).
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Sherlock
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
| | - Karin J H Verweij
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.,Department of Biological Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sean C Murphy
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Andrew C Heath
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brendan P Zietsch
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia. .,Genetic Epidemiology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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Understanding The Role of Mate Selection Processes in Couples' Pair-Bonding Behavior. Behav Genet 2015; 46:143-9. [PMID: 26573626 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-015-9766-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Couples are similar in their pair-bonding behavior, yet the reasons for this similarity are often unclear. A common explanation is phenotypic assortment, whereby individuals select partners with similar heritable characteristics. Alternatively, social homogamy, whereby individuals passively select partners with similar characteristic due to shared social backgrounds, is rarely considered. We examined whether phenotypic assortment and/or social homogamy can contribute to mate similarity using a twin-partner design. The sample came from the Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden, which included 876 male and female monozygotic and same-sex dizygotic twins plus their married or cohabitating partners. Results showed that variance in pair-bonding behavior was attributable to genetic and nonshared environmental factors. Furthermore, phenotypic assortment accounted for couple similarity in pair-bonding behavior. This suggests that individuals' genetically based characteristics are involved in their selection of mates with similar pair-bonding behavior.
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Kandler C, Lewis GJ, Feldhaus LH, Riemann R. The genetic and environmental roots of variance in negativity toward foreign nationals. Behav Genet 2014; 45:181-99. [PMID: 25534512 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-014-9700-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
This study quantified genetic and environmental roots of variance in prejudice and discriminatory intent toward foreign nationals and examined potential mediators of these genetic influences: right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO), and narrow-sense xenophobia (NSX). In line with the dual process motivational (DPM) model, we predicted that the two basic attitudinal and motivational orientations-RWA and SDO-would account for variance in out-group prejudice and discrimination. In line with other theories, we expected that NSX as an affective component would explain additional variance in out-group prejudice and discriminatory intent. Data from 1,397 individuals (incl. twins as well as their spouses) were analyzed. Univariate analyses of twins' and spouses' data yielded genetic (incl. contributions of assortative mating) and multiple environmental sources (i.e., social homogamy, spouse-specific, and individual-specific effects) of variance in negativity toward strangers. Multivariate analyses suggested an extension to the DPM model by including NSX in addition to RWA and SDO as predictor of prejudice and discrimination. RWA and NSX primarily mediated the genetic influences on the variance in prejudice and discriminatory intent toward foreign nationals. In sum, the findings provide the basis of a behavioral genetic framework integrating different scientific disciplines for the study of negativity toward out-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kandler
- Department of Psychology and Sport Sciences, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstr. 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany,
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Familial aggregation of metabolic syndrome indicators in Portuguese families. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:314823. [PMID: 24171163 PMCID: PMC3793391 DOI: 10.1155/2013/314823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background and Aims. Family studies are well suited to investigate the genetic architecture underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS). The purposes of this paper were (i) to estimate heritabilities for each of the MetS indicators, and (ii) to test the significance of familial intratrait and cross-trait correlations in MetS markers. Methods and Results. This study included 1,363 individuals from 515 Portuguese families in which five MetS components, including waist circumference (WC), blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and glucose (GLU), were measured. Intratrait and cross-trait familial correlations of these five components were estimated using Generalized Estimating Equations. Each MetS component was significantly heritable (h2 ranged from 0.12 to 0.60) and exhibited strong familial resemblance with correlations between biological relatives of similar magnitude to those observed between spouses. With respect to cross-trait correlations, familial resemblance was very weak except for the HDL-TG pair. Conclusions. The present findings confirm the idea of familial aggregation in MetS traits. Spousal correlations were, in general, of the same magnitude as the biological relatives' correlations suggesting that most of the phenotypic variance in MetS traits could be explained by shared environment.
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Abstract
The classical twin study has been a powerful heuristic in biomedical, psychiatric and behavioural research for decades. Twin registries worldwide have collected biological material and longitudinal phenotypic data on tens of thousands of twins, providing a valuable resource for studying complex phenotypes and their underlying biology. In this Review, we consider the continuing value of twin studies in the current era of molecular genetic studies. We conclude that classical twin methods combined with novel technologies represent a powerful approach towards identifying and understanding the molecular pathways that underlie complex traits.
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Boomsma DI, Willemsen G, Vink JM, Bartels M, Groot P, Hottenga JJ, van Beijsterveldt CEMT, Stroet T, van Dijk R, Wertheim R, Visser M, van der Kleij F. Design and Implementation of a Twin-Family Database for Behavior Genetics and Genomics Studies. Twin Res Hum Genet 2012; 11:342-8. [DOI: 10.1375/twin.11.3.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn this article we describe the design and implementation of a database for extended twin families. The database does not focus on probands or on index twins, as this approach becomes problematic when larger multigenerational families are included, when more than one set of multiples is present within a family, or when families turn out to be part of a larger pedigree. Instead, we present an alternative approach that uses a highly flexible notion of persons and relations. The relations among the subjects in the database have a one-to-many structure, are user-definable and extendible and support arbitrarily complicated pedigrees. Some additional characteristics of the database are highlighted, such as the storage of historical data, predefined expressions for advanced queries, output facilities for individuals and relations among individuals and an easy-to-use multi-step wizard for contacting participants. This solution presents a flexible approach to accommodate pedigrees of arbitrary size, multiple biological and nonbiological relationships among participants and dynamic changes in these relations that occur over time, which can be implemented for any type of multigenerational family study.
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Genetic and environmental contributions to the association between anthropometric measures and iq: a study of Minnesota twins at age 11 and 17. Behav Genet 2011; 42:393-401. [PMID: 22139438 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-011-9521-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Associations of height and head circumference with IQ are well documented, but much less is known about the association of IQ with other anthropometric measures or the mechanisms behind these associations. We therefore analyzed the associations between IQ and several anthropometric measures using a twin-study design. Twins born in Minnesota were assessed at either age 11 (756 complete pairs) or 17 (626 complete pairs) and analyzed using genetic modeling. Head circumference and height showed the most consistent positive associations with IQ, whereas more detailed anthropometric measures were not significantly better predictors of IQ. These associations were mainly due to common genetic factors. Our results suggest that the same genetic factors have an effect on physical and cognitive development. Head circumference and height capture information on children's physical development, which is partly associated also with cognitive development.
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Jelenkovic A, Ortega-Alonso A, Rose RJ, Kaprio J, Rebato E, Silventoinen K. Genetic and environmental influences on growth from late childhood to adulthood: a longitudinal study of two Finnish twin cohorts. Am J Hum Biol 2011; 23:764-73. [PMID: 21957002 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.21208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 06/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Human growth is a complex process that remains insufficiently understood. We aimed to analyze genetic and environmental influences on growth from late childhood to early adulthood. METHODS Two cohorts of monozygotic and dizygotic (same sex and opposite sex) Finnish twin pairs were studied longitudinally using self-reported height at 11-12, 14, and 17 years and adult age (FinnTwin12) and at 16, 17, and 18 years and adult age (FinnTwin16). Univariate and multivariate variance component models for twin data were used. RESULTS From childhood to adulthood, genetic differences explained 72-81% of the variation of height in boys and 65-86% in girls. Environmental factors common to co-twins explained 5-23% of the variation of height, with the residual variation explained by environmental factors unique to each twin individual. Common environmental factors affecting height were highly correlated between the analyzed ages (0.72-0.99 and 0.91-1.00 for boys and girls, respectively). Genetic (0.58-0.99 and 0.70-0.99, respectively) and unique environmental factors (0.32-0.78 and 0.54-0.82, respectively) affecting height at different ages were more weakly, but still substantially, correlated. CONCLUSIONS The genetic contribution to height is strong during adolescence. The high genetic correlations detected across the ages encourage further efforts to identify genes affecting growth. Common and unique environmental factors affecting height during adolescence are also important, and further studies are necessary to identify their nature and test whether they interact with genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Jelenkovic
- Department of Genetics, Physical Anthropology and Animal Physiology, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain.
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Zietsch BP, Verweij KJH, Heath AC, Martin NG. Variation in human mate choice: simultaneously investigating heritability, parental influence, sexual imprinting, and assortative mating. Am Nat 2011; 177:605-16. [PMID: 21508607 DOI: 10.1086/659629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Human mate choice is central to individuals' lives and to the evolution of the species, but the basis of variation in mate choice is not well understood. Here we looked at a large community-based sample of twins and their partners and parents ([Formula: see text] individuals) to test for genetic and family environmental influences on mate choice, while controlling for and not controlling for the effects of assortative mating. Key traits were analyzed, including height, body mass index, age, education, income, personality, social attitudes, and religiosity. This revealed near-zero genetic influences on male and female mate choice over all traits and no significant genetic influences on mate choice for any specific trait. A significant family environmental influence was found for the age and income of females' mate choices, possibly reflecting parental influence over mating decisions. We also tested for evidence of sexual imprinting, where individuals acquire mate-choice criteria during development by using their opposite-sex parent as the template of a desirable mate; there was no such effect for any trait. The main discernible pattern of mate choice was assortative mating; we found that partner similarity was due to initial choice rather than convergence and also at least in part to phenotypic matching.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan P Zietsch
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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Brändstrjöm S, Przybeck TR, Sigvardsson S. Reliability of informant ratings and spouse similarity based on the Temperament and Character Inventory. Psychol Rep 2011; 109:231-42. [PMID: 22049664 DOI: 10.2466/02.09.pr0.109.4.231-242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A cohort of 136 Swedish spouse pairs rated themselves and each other with the Temperament and Character Inventory. The data allowed assessment of the reliability of ratings by knowledgeable informants compared to self-rating for this personality test. The reliability of the informant rating was in the expected range, with an average correlation of .58. Agreement was slightly higher for the Temperament dimensions than for the Character dimensions. Additionally, the design allowed evaluation of the similarity between husbands and wives across the seven dimensions measured by the TCI. Correlations between spouses in self-reports were very low for Temperament, with only Harm Avoidance having a statistically significant correlation (.22, p < .05). On the other hand, all three Character dimensions were significantly correlated. These results support the conceptualization of Temperament and Character as separate components of personality. The results are consistent with previous reports on the personality of spouse pairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Brändstrjöm
- Institution for Neuroscience and Physiology, Psychiatry and Neurochemistry Section, Forensic Psychiatry University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Frisell T, Pawitan Y, Långström N, Lichtenstein P. Heritability, Assortative Mating and Gender Differences in Violent Crime: Results from a Total Population Sample Using Twin, Adoption, and Sibling Models. Behav Genet 2011; 42:3-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s10519-011-9483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Grant JD, Heath AC, Bucholz KK, Madden PAF, Agrawal A, Statham DJ, Martin NG. Spousal concordance for alcohol dependence: evidence for assortative mating or spousal interaction effects? Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2007; 31:717-28. [PMID: 17378921 DOI: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2007.00356.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol dependence (AD) is among the most common psychiatric disorders, and impacts the health and well-being of problem drinkers, their family members, and society as a whole. Although previous research has consistently indicated that genetic factors contribute to variance in risk for AD, little attention has been paid to nonrandom mating for AD. When assortative mating occurs for a heritable trait, spouses are genetically correlated and offspring are at increased risk of receiving high-risk genes from both parents. The primary goal of the present analyses is to test hypotheses about the source(s) and magnitude of spousal associations for AD using a twin-spouse design. METHODS DSM-IV AD (without the clustering criterion) was assessed via telephone interview for 5,974 twin members of an older cohort of the Australian Twin Register (born 1902-1964) and 3,814 spouses of the twins. Quantitative genetic modeling was used to determine the extent to which variability in risk for AD was influenced by genetic factors, the extent of spousal association for AD, and whether the association was attributable to assortative mating, reciprocal spousal interaction, or both processes. RESULTS Genetic factors explained 49% of the variance in risk for AD. There was no evidence of gender differences in the spousal interaction effect, the degree of rater bias, or the association between the twin's report of spouse AD and the spouse's AD phenotype. Either the assortative mating parameter or the spousal interaction parameter could be removed from the model without a significant decrement in fit, but both could not be dropped simultaneously, suggesting a lack of power to differentiate between these 2 causes of spousal correlation. When both effects were included in the model, the spousal correlation was 0.29, the assortative mating coefficient was 0.45 (i.e., "like marries like"), and the reciprocal spousal interaction coefficient was -0.10 (i.e., after controlling for assortative mating, the additional impact of spousal interactions is slightly protective). CONCLUSIONS These analyses provide evidence of significant spousal associations for AD, with assortative mating increasing spouse similarity and spousal interaction effects decreasing it after controlling for assortative mating. Although the genetic impact is modest, assortative mating results in an increased proportion of offspring exposed to 2 alcoholic parents and the associated detrimental environmental sequelae, and increases the likelihood of offspring inheriting high-risk genes from both parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia D Grant
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
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Silventoinen K, Posthuma D, van Beijsterveldt T, Bartels M, Boomsma DI. Genetic contributions to the association between height and intelligence: Evidence from Dutch twin data from childhood to middle age. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2006; 5:585-95. [PMID: 17081263 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2006.00208.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A positive association between intelligence (IQ) and height has been reported previously. It is generally assumed that this association reflects the effect of childhood environment on IQ, but there is still little research supporting directly this hypothesis. We studied the association between height and IQ in 209 Dutch twin pairs at the ages of 5, 7, 10 and 12 years, 208 twin pairs at 16 and 18 years of age and 567 twin pairs and their siblings in adulthood. The heritability of height was high in all cohorts and across all ages (a2 = 0.93 - 0.96). In adulthood, heritability was also high for full-scale IQ (FSIQ: a2 = 0.83-0.84) and somewhat lower for verbal IQ (VIQ: a2 = 0.66-0.84). In early childhood, the heritability was lower, and common environmental factors had a substantial effect on FSIQ and VIQ. A positive association of height and IQ was found in early childhood and adolescence. In adulthood, a correlation was found between height and FSIQ in young adulthood and between height and VIQ in middle age. All correlations could be ascribed to genetic factors influencing both height and IQ. Thus, these results show that the association between height and IQ should not be directly regarded as evidence for childhood living conditions affecting IQ, but the effect of genetic factors affecting independently or interacting with environmental factors should be considered as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Silventoinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
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Agrawal A, Heath AC, Grant JD, Pergadia ML, Statham DJ, Bucholz KK, Martin NG, Madden PAF. Assortative mating for cigarette smoking and for alcohol consumption in female Australian twins and their spouses. Behav Genet 2006; 36:553-66. [PMID: 16710775 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-006-9081-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2005] [Accepted: 03/02/2006] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-random mating affects population variation for substance use and dependence. Developmentally, mate selection leading to positive spousal correlations for genetic similarity may result in increased risk for substance use and misuse in offspring. Mate selection varies by cohort and thus, assortative mating in one generation may produce marked changes in rates of substance use in the next. We aim to clarify the mechanisms contributing to spousal similarity for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. METHODS Using data from female twins and their male spouses, we fit univariate and bivariate twin models to examine the contribution of primary assortative mating and reciprocal marital interaction to spousal resemblance for regular cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, and for regular alcohol use and alcohol dependence. RESULTS We found that assortative mating significantly influenced regular smoking, regular alcohol use, nicotine dependence and alcohol dependence. The bivariate models for cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption also highlighted the importance of primary assortative mating on all stages of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, with additional evidence for assortative mating across the two stages of alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Women who regularly used, and subsequently were dependent on cigarettes or alcohol were more likely to marry men with similar behaviors. After mate selection had occurred, one partner's cigarette or alcohol involvement did not significantly modify the other partner's involvement with these psychoactive substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arpana Agrawal
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, 8134, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Reynolds CA, Barlow T, Pedersen NL. Alcohol, Tobacco and Caffeine Use: Spouse Similarity Processes. Behav Genet 2006; 36:201-15. [PMID: 16645902 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-005-9026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2004] [Accepted: 06/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Spouse similarity research has been largely descriptive yet is of theoretical and empirical importance to understanding individual differences in substance use. The present study considers phenotypic assortment versus social homogamy processes for alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine consumption traits using an extended twin-spouse design. Whereas both assortment processes were supported for quantity of alcohol consumed, phenotypic assortment was supported for quantity of tobacco and caffeine consumed, and social homogamy for tobacco use status. Moderate heritable influences were found for all traits though no shared environmental influences were found beyond those due to social background influences, i.e. those pertaining to social homogamy. Swedish government policies in effect at the time of marriage selection may explain the presence of social homogamy for quantity of alcohol versus quantity of tobacco and caffeine consumed. Social homogamy may be more important for some substance use traits such as alcohol consumption and tobacco use status but not others.
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Sakai JT, Stallings MC, Mikulich-Gilbertson SK, Corley RP, Young SE, Hopfer CJ, Crowley TJ. Mate similarity for substance dependence and antisocial personality disorder symptoms among parents of patients and controls. Drug Alcohol Depend 2004; 75:165-75. [PMID: 15276222 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2003] [Revised: 01/19/2004] [Accepted: 01/29/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Substance dependence (SD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are highly comorbid and aggregate in families. Mating assortment may be an important process contributing to this familial aggregation. HYPOTHESIS Symptom counts of substance dependence, antisocial personality disorder, and retrospectively assessed conduct disorder (CD) will be correlated significantly among parents of youth in treatment for substance use and conduct problems and, separately, among parents of community controls. METHODS We examined SD, ASPD, and CD among 151 pairs of parents of adolescents in treatment for substance use and conduct problems, and in 206 pairs of parents of control subjects. RESULTS For average dependence symptoms (ADS) (the sum of across-drug substance dependence symptoms divided by the number of substance categories meeting minimum threshold use) mother-father correlations were 0.40 for patients and 0.28 for controls. Mother--father correlations for ASPD symptom count were 0.33 for patients and 0.26 for controls and for CD symptom count were 0.31 for patients (all P < 0.01) and 0.10 for controls (P = 0.14). CONCLUSIONS Spousal correlations for ADS and ASPD, suggest substantial non-random mating. Results support gender differences in homogamy for SD. Behavior genetic studies of these disorders need to account for assortment to avoid biases in estimates of genetic and environmental effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- J T Sakai
- Division of Substance Dependence, Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 4200 E. Ninth Avenue, C268-35, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
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Silventoinen K, Kaprio J, Lahelma E, Viken RJ, Rose RJ. Assortative mating by body height and BMI: Finnish twins and their spouses. Am J Hum Biol 2003; 15:620-7. [PMID: 12953173 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.10183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Assortative mating by body height and weight is well established in various populations, but its causal mechanisms remain poorly understood. We analyzed the effect of phenotypic assortment and social homogamy on spousal correlations for body height and body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)). Our data derived from a questionnaire administered to the adult Finnish Twin Cohort in 1990 (response rate 77%) yielding results from 922 monozygotic and 1697 dizygotic adult twin pairs who reported information about their body height and weight and that of their spouses. Assortative mating was evident for body height and BMI. For body height, the effects of social homogamy (0.24 in men and 0.29 in women) and phenotypic assortment (0.27 and 0.28, respectively) were about the same. For BMI, the effect of social homogamy was stronger (0.31 in men and 0.28 in women) than the effect of phenotypic assortment (0.13 in both men and women). When assortative mating was taken into account, shared environmental factors had no effect on phenotypic variation in body height or BMI. Our results show that assortative mating needs to be considered in population genetic studies of body height and weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karri Silventoinen
- Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454-1015, USA.
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Baker LA, Treloar SA, Reynolds CA, Heath AC, Martin NG. Genetics of educational attainment in Australian twins: sex differences and secular changes. Behav Genet 1996; 26:89-102. [PMID: 8639155 DOI: 10.1007/bf02359887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The relative effects of genetic and environmental factors in producing individual differences in educational achievement are compared across women and men and over birth cohorts. In a large sample of Australian twin pairs, the heritability of self-reported educational attainment did not vary among women and men born before and after 1950. In a "psychometric" model of twin resemblance, based on separate self-reports in 1981 and 1989, genetic factors explained 57% of the stable variance in educational achievement, while environmental factors shared by twins accounted for 24% of the variance. Corrections for phenotypic assortative mating for educational level, however, suggested that estimated common-environmental effects could be entirely explained by the correlation between additive genetic values for mates. Taking this into account, heritability "true" educational attainment in Australia may be as high as 82% with the remaining variation being due to individual environments or experiences. Unlike previous studies in Scandinavian countries, results in Australia suggest that factors influencing educational success are comparable between women and men and for individuals born at different points during this century.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Baker
- Department of Psychology, SGM 501, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-1061 USA.
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