Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Modify the Association between Melanocortin 4 Receptor Gene Variant and Obesity in Chinese Children and Adolescents

Sedentary behavior, physical activity, sleep duration and obesity risk: Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have suggested associations between sedentary behaviors (SB), physical activity (PA), sleep duration (SD), and obesity, but the causal relationships remain unclear.

METHODS

We used Mendelian randomization (MR) with genetic variation as instrumental variables (IVs) to assess the causality between SB/PA/SD and obesity. Genetic variants associated with SB/PA/SD were obtained from Genome-wide association study (GWAS), and obesity data came from FinnGen. The primary MR analysis used the instrumental variable weighted (IVW) method, with sensitivity tests including Cochran Q, MR-Egger intercepts, and MR-Radial. Expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) analysis was applied to identify significant genetic associations and biological pathways in obesity-related tissues.

RESULTS

The MR analysis revealed causal relationships between four SB-related lifestyle patterns and obesity. Specifically, increased genetic liability to television watching (IVW MR Odds ratio [OR] = 1.55, [95% CI]:[1.27, 1.90], p = 1.67×10-5), computer use ([OR] = 1.52, [95% CI]:[1.08, 2.13], p = 1.61×10-2), leisure screen time (LST) ([OR] = 1.62, [95% CI] = [1.43, 1.84], p = 6.49×10-14, and driving (MR [OR] = 2.79, [95% CI]:[1.25, 6.21], p = 1.23×10-2) was found to increase the risk of obesity. Our findings indicate that no causal relationships were observed between SB at work, sedentary commuting, PA, SD, and obesity. The eQTL analysis revealed strong associations between specific genes (RPS26, TTC12, CCDC92, NICN1) and SNPs (rs10876864, rs2734849, rs4765541, rs7615206) in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues, which are associated with these SBs. Enrichment analysis further revealed that these genes are involved in crucial biological pathways, including cortisol synthesis, thyroid hormone synthesis, and insulin secretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support a causal relationship between four specific SBs (LST, television watching, computer use, driving) and obesity. These results provide valuable insights into potential interventions to address obesity effectively, supported by genetic associations in the eQTL and enrichment analysis. Further research and public health initiatives focusing on reducing specific SBs may be warranted.

Higher atherogenic risk in schoolchildren is associated with MTMR9 rs2293855 gene polymorphism and genetic score

Childhood dyslipidaemia is associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood, so evaluating whether an individual has a genetic predisposition to this pathology is of great importance for early action of prevention and treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the FTO (rs9939609), MC4R (rs17782313) and MTMR9 (rs2293855) polymorphisms, the obesity-related genetic risk score and atherogenic risk in Brazilian children. This is a cross-sectional study conducted in 544 children aged 4-9 years in the city of Viçosa, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs9939609, rs17782313 and rs2293855, were identified by the system TaqMan SNP genotyping and the obesity-related genetic risk score was determined. The lipid profile (serum total cholesterol [TC], high density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, triglycerides) was analysed and the atherogenic indices (Castelli I and II indices), atherogenic coefficient (AC), lipoprotein combined index (LCI) and plasma atherogenic index (PAI) were calculated. A semi-structured questionnaire was applied, obtaining data on the sociodemographic, economic and lifestyle characteristics of the children. Weight and height measurements were performed in all children, and body composition was evaluated by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). 55.5% of the sample had dyslipidaemia, while 28.5% of the sample had at least one polymorphism and 2.2% had three polymorphisms. Children with the AG/AA genotypes in the rs2293855 polymorphism had lower HDL cholesterol levels and higher TC/HDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL cholesterol ratios and AC. Those with one or more polymorphisms (rs9939609, rs17782313 and rs2293855) in the genetic risk score had lower HDL cholesterol levels and higher TC/HDL cholesterol ratios, AC, LCI and PAI. In conclusion, the risk allele of the rs2293855 polymorphism and a higher obesity-related genetic risk score were positively associated with higher atherogenic risk in Brazilian children.

Association between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, Sleep, Diet, and Adiposity among Children and Adolescents in China

INTRODUCTION

Physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviors (SB), sleep, and diet are related to adiposity among children and adolescents. However, there may be interactions between PA, SB, sleep, and diet, and these lifestyle behaviors may work together to affect body weight. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of multiple lifestyle behaviors of PA, SB, sleep, and diet on childhood adiposity (body mass index z-score and overweight/obesity), and to investigate the effect of meeting multiple guidelines on adiposity among children and adolescents in China.

METHODS

Cross-sectional results were based on 28,048 children aged 6-17 years from the China National Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2010-2012. Information about PA, SB, and sleep was measured through interview-administered questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed with food frequency questionnaire. The associations between multiple lifestyle behaviors and BMI z-score and overweight/obese were examined.

RESULTS

The prevalence of overweight/obesity in the participants was 19.2%. The average time of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), leisure SB, and sleep was 76.7 ± 45.5 min, 2.9 ± 1.4 h, and 8.5 ± 1.1 h per day, respectively. The China Dietary Guidelines Index for Youth (CDGI-Y) score was 62.6 ± 11.0. Sleep duration and diet score were negative associated with BMI z-score (both p < 0.001). MVPA and SB time were positive associated with BMI z-score (p = 0.041, 0.004). Meeting the SB, sleep, and diet guidelines had a lower BMI z-score (all p < 0.01) and lower odds of overweight/obesity (all p < 0.05). There were significant interactions between PA and diet. Compared with meeting no guidelines, those who met multiple guidelines had a lower risk of overweight/obesity (all p < 0.01). The more guidelines the participants met, the lower odds of overweight/obesity (p for trend <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PA, SB, sleep, and diet are important behaviors associated with adiposity among children and adolescents. Attaining adequate amounts of appropriate multiple behaviors provided an additional benefit. It is important for children to meet recommended behavioral guidelines or recommendations. Interventions that aim to improve awareness of and compliance with these guidelines are needed in future.

The association of the glucokinase rs4607517 polymorphism with gestational diabetes mellitus and its interaction with sweets consumption in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

To identify the association of the glucokinase gene (GCK) rs4607517 polymorphism with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and determine whether sweets consumption could interact with the polymorphism on GDM in Chinese women.

DESIGN

We conducted a case-control study at a hospital including 1015 participants (562 GDM cases and 453 controls). We collected the data of pre-pregnancy BMI, sweets consumption and performed genotyping of the GCK rs4607517 polymorphism. Logistic regression was performed to test the association between the rs4607517 polymorphism and GDM, and the stratified analyses by sweets consumption were conducted, using an additive genetic model.

SETTING

A case-control study of women at a hospital in Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

One thousand and fifteen Chinese women.

RESULTS

The GCK rs4607517 A allele was significantly associated with GDM (OR 1·35, 95 % CI 1·03, 1·77; P = 0·028). Furthermore, stratified analyses showed that the A allele increased the risk of GDM only in women who had a habitual consumption of sweet foods (sweets consumption ≥ once per week) (OR 1·61, 95 % CI 1·17, 2·21; P = 0·003). Significant interaction on GDM was found between the rs4607517 A allele and sweets consumption (P = 0·004).

CONCLUSIONS

This study for the first time reported the interaction between the GCK rs4607517 polymorphism and sweets consumption on GDM. The results provided novel evidence for risk assessment and personalised prevention of GDM.

The interaction between dietary patterns and melanocortin-4 receptor polymorphisms in relation to obesity phenotypes

INTRODUCTION

Data shows that interactions between dietary factors and genetic variants can modulate the association of polymorphisms such as the Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene with obesity. Considering the limited data available on this topic we aimed to investigate interactions between dietary patterns (DPs) and MC4R polymorphisms in relation to obesity phenotypes.

METHODS

This cohort study was performed in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study; for eligible participants in this study (n=3850), the median follow-up was 4 years. DPs were determined using factor analysis. The genotypes of polymorphisms (17782313rs and 12970134rs) were identified and their interaction with DPs were assessed in relation to incidence of obesity phenotypes including central obesity, general obesity and visceral adiposity dysfunction.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants (62.5% females) were 37.0±13.7 years. Two main DPs (healthy and unhealthy) were extracted. C-allele carriers of rs17782313 in higher quartiles of the healthy DP score had a significant decrease in the incidence of general obesity, compared to those who had the TT genotype (HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.42-0.89, P interaction=0.01). For rs12970134 A-allele carriers, subjects in the second compared to the first quartile of the healthy DP score, had a significant decrease in the incidence of general obesity (HR=0.68, 95% CI=0.46-0.99). There were no significant interaction between DPs and MC4R variants in relation to other obesity phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that the healthy DP could interact with rs17782313 in relation to incidence of general obesity.

Sedentary Behavior Research in the Chinese Population: A Systematic Scoping Review

Background: The negative effects of sedentary behavior (SB) on public health have been extensively documented. A large number of studies have demonstrated that high prevalence of SB is a critical factor of all-cause mortality. Globally, the frequency of SB research has continued to rise, but little is known about SB in the Chinese population. Therefore, this review was conducted to scope the research situation and to fill the gaps related to the effects of SB in the Chinese population. Methods: Using a scoping review based on York methodology, a comprehensive search of published journal articles and grey literature was carried out through 12 databases. The literature research was conducted by two authors in July 2019, and included journal articles that targeted on the Chinese population were published between 1999 and 2019. The two authors screened the records independently and included those research topics related to SB in the Chinese population. Results: The number of included studies increased from 1 to 29 per year during the analyzed period, during which, a remarkable climb happened from 8 in 2013 to 19 in July 2019. Out of the 1303 screened studies, a total of 162 studies (81 English and 81 Chinese journal articles) met the inclusion criteria in this review. Most of the included studies (66.0%) reported the overall estimated prevalence of SB, in which, 43.2% of studies reported the average time of SB, and 40.0% of studies reported the cutoff point of SB. Besides this, 54.9% and 23.5% of studies focused on the outcomes and correlates/determinants of SB, and the proportions of studies based on testing the validation of measurement tools and on interventions were 3.7% and 4.9%, respectively. Nearly all of the reviewed articles used data from cross-sectional studies (75.9%) and longitudinal studies (13.6%), while intervention trials are less developed. The majority of the studies (64.8%) used self-reported surveys, and only 3.7% studies used device-based measurement tools. Furthermore, 35.8% of the included studies were focused on children and adolescents, while only a few studies investigated infants/toddlers and older adults. Both female and male were examined in most studies, and non-clinical populations were investigated in the context of SB in a relatively large number of studies. Conclusions: The number of research articles on SB in the Chinese population published per year has increased year by year, indicating a growing interest in this research area. More studies using population subgroup samples are needed, particularly among infants/toddlers, older adults, and clinical populations. To provide stronger evidence of the determinants and outcomes of SB, longitudinal studies using device-based measures of SB are required.

Interaction between lifestyle behaviors and genetic polymorphism in SCAP gene on blood pressure among Chinese children

BACKGROUNDS

Previous studies had revealed that sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) rs12487736 polymorphism was associated with blood pressure (BP), but whether rs12487736 could interact with lifestyle behaviors on BP is unknown.

METHODS

A case-control study with 1092 Chinese children was conducted.

RESULTS

We found an interaction between rs12487736 and high calorie foods intake (fried chips/cakes/cookies) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P_interaction = 0.027), and rs12487736 was associated with SBP in the subgroup having high calorie foods at least once in the last week (b = 2.19, P = 0.025), but not in the subgroup not having high calorie foods. Also, interaction between protein intake (meat/fish/soy beans/egg) and rs12487736 on diastolic BP (DBP) was identified (P_interaction = 0.049); rs12487736 was associated with DBP in the subgroup consuming protein (meat/fish/soy beans/egg) <twice/day (b = 3.38, P = 0.014), but not in the subgroup ≥twice/day. There is combined effect between rs12487736 and physical activity on DBP. In the subgroup who were inactive (physical activity <1 h/day), rs12487736 was significantly associated with DBP (b = 3.27, P = 0.046), but not in the active group (physical activity ≥1 h/day). Similar combined effect between rs12487736 and soft drink was found.

CONCLUSIONS

Interactions or combined effects between SCAP and lifestyle behaviors on BP support the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle in the children genetically predisposed to higher BP.

Combined effects of the rs9810888 polymorphism in calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 D (CACNA1D) and lifestyle behaviors on blood pressure level among Chinese children

Backgrounds

A recent GWAS Study found a new locus (rs9810888 in CACNA1D) was associated with blood pressure (BP) in Chinese adults. But whether the association exists in children is unknown. Whether lifestyle behaviors could interact with rs9810888 on BP is not clear. This study aimed to identify the association between rs9810888 and BP in children, and also explore the gene-lifestyle interaction.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted among 2030 Chinese children aged 7 to 18 years. Genotyping was conducted by using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Lifestyle behaviors were investigated with questionnaire.

Results

With adjustment for age, age square, sex, study group and body mass index (BMI), rs9810888 was significantly associated with diastolic BP (DBP) (b = 1.69, p = 0.021) and mean arterial BP (MAP) (b = 1.56, p = 0.010). Stratified analysis showed that the rs9810888 GG genotype carriers had higher DBP than GT/TT carriers (b = 3.78, p = 0.023) in the subgroup having protein intake (meat/fish/soybeans/egg) <twice/day, but not in the subgroup ≥twice/day. In addition, in the subgroup with screen time≥2h/day, the rs9810888 GG genotype carriers had higher DBP than GT/TT carriers (b = 5.49, p = 0.012), but not in the subgroup with screen time<2h/day. For MAP, in the subgroup having either fruits or vegetables < twice/day, the rs9810888 GG genotype carriers had higher MAP than GT/TT carriers (b = 2.64, p = 0.037), but not in the subgroup with both fruits and vegetables intake ≥twice/day. Additionally, in the subgroup with screen time≥2h/day, the rs9810888 GG genotype carriers had higher MAP than GT/TT carriers (b = 4.80, p = 0.017), but not in those with screen time<2h/day.

Conclusions

The CACNA1D rs9810888 polymorphism was significantly associated with DBP and MAP. In addition, unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and rs9810888 GG genotype had combined effects on BP level among Chinese children.

Association between Vegetable Consumption and Blood Pressure, Stratified by BMI, among Chinese Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years: A National Cross-Sectional Study

The association between vegetable intake and blood pressure (BP) in adolescents is still inconsistent, and the description of the recommended daily vegetable consumption is abstract and nonfigurative. Here we aimed to investigate the association between vegetable consumption and BP and further look for a simple way to describe a satisfactory level of daily vegetable consumption for adolescents. We recruited 18,757 adolescents, aged 13-17 years, from seven provinces in China in 2013. A standard physical examination, including height, weight and BP was conducted. Information regarding vegetable intake was collected by questionnaire, and one serving of vegetables was defined as the size of an adult's fist. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used for analysis after adjusting for covariates. Approximately 12.2%, 38.0%, 28.7%, and 21.1% of the adolescents reported daily vegetable consumption of <1, 1~2, 2~3, and ≥3 servings, respectively. Adolescents whose daily vegetable consumption was ≥3 servings showed a lower risk of high blood pressure (HBP) (OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.58~0.94, p = 0.013) compared to those with daily vegetable consumptions of < 1 serving. When stratified by body mass index (BMI), in overweight adolescents, participants with 2~3 or ≥3 servings/day had an OR of 0.66 (95%CI: 0.45~0.97) or 0.63 (95%CI: 0.42~0.95) compared with the reference group. Daily vegetable intake of at least three servings (three adult's fists) is associated with a lower HBP risk in adolescents, which leads to a simple message: "consuming at least three fists of vegetables every day will improve your blood pressure profile".

Gene-Diet Interaction and Precision Nutrition in Obesity

The rapid rise of obesity during the past decades has coincided with a profound shift of our living environment, including unhealthy dietary patterns, a sedentary lifestyle, and physical inactivity. Genetic predisposition to obesity may have interacted with such an obesogenic environment in determining the obesity epidemic. Growing studies have found that changes in adiposity and metabolic response to low-calorie weight loss diets might be modified by genetic variants related to obesity, metabolic status and preference to nutrients. This review summarized data from recent studies of gene-diet interactions, and discussed integration of research of metabolomics and gut microbiome, as well as potential application of the findings in precision nutrition.