Effects of Gene-Environment Interaction on Obesity among Chinese Adults Born in the Early 1960s

Association of obesity and menarche SNPs and interaction with environmental factors on precocious puberty

BACKGROUND

Obesity is an important cause for the precocious or early puberty. However, the association between obesity-related loci and the risk of precocious puberty as well as the effect of gene-environment interaction are unclear, especially in the Chinese children population.

METHODS

This was a case-control study using baseline data from two cohorts and hospital cases in China. 15 SNPs loci and several environmental factors were included in the analysis of 1201 participants. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the association between SNPs and precocious puberty. Additionally, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on 13 environmental variables, and then to explore their interaction with genes on precocious puberty.

RESULTS

The effect allele C of rs571312, and G of rs12970134 MC4R were associated with precocious puberty in girls with obesity. Regarding the gene-environment interaction, we found that when girls were in the high socioeconomic status, the rs571312 (OR: 3.996; 95% CI: 1.694-9.423) and rs12970134 (OR: 3.529; 95% CI: 1.452-8.573) risk genotypes had a greater effect on precocious puberty.

CONCLUSIONS

The obesity risk gene polymorphisms MC4R rs571312 and rs12970134 were associated with precocious puberty in Chinese girls with obesity, and girls with risk genotypes and high socioeconomic status should be given extra attention.

IMPACT

This is the first study that identified the association between rs571312 and rs12970134 of MC4R gene and precocious puberty in Chinese children. We found that when girls were in the high socioeconomic status, the risk genotypes of rs571312 and rs12970134 had a greater effect on precocious puberty. The results of this study have great public health implications. It is recommended that girls who are in high socioeconomic status and have a high genetic risk for early sexual maturity should closely monitor their pubertal development and consider early intervention strategies.

Influencing Factors on Cardiovascular Health in China

The Annual Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China (2022) intricate landscape of cardiovascular health in China. This is the first section of the report, which dissects influential factors across diverse domains. The investigation identifies tobacco use as a paramount concern, portraying China as the global epicenter of tobacco consumption. Cigarette smoking, exacerbated by second-hand smoke exposure, emerges as a critical and preventable risk factor, contributing to a surge in attributable deaths over the past three decades. In the realm of dietary nutrition, the study discerns an overall improvement, yet discerns worrisome deviations, notably an escalating fat intake surpassing recommended guidelines. The shifting dietary structure reveals diminished consumption of cereals and vegetables juxtaposed with an uptick in animal foods, while excessive intake of cooking oil and salt persists, straying substantially from endorsed levels. The exploration of physical activity patterns unfolds a nuanced narrative. Varied trends are observed among students, with concerns arising from sedentary behaviors and inadequate adherence to recommended guidelines. The analysis spans a trajectory of declining physical activity in Chinese adults, coupled with an alarming surge in sedentary leisure time, ultimately linking these factors to heightened risks of cardiovascular diseases and increased adiposity. An examination of overweight and obesity trends uncovers a relentless upward trajectory, projecting substantial prevalence by 2030. Noteworthy prevalence rates underscore the imperative for targeted interventions to curtail this burgeoning health crisis, with the anticipated prevalence extending to nearly two-thirds of the adult population. Psychological factors, notably depression, constitute an integral facet of cardiovascular health. Prevalence rates among patients with coronary artery disease and acute myocardial infarction underscore the intricate interplay between mental health and cardiovascular outcomes. Additionally, persistent depressive symptoms are shown to significantly elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. This first section underscores the multifaceted challenges facing cardiovascular health in China, emphasizing the imperative for tailored interventions across tobacco control, dietary habits, physical activity, obesity management, and psychological well-being to mitigate the escalating burden of cardiovascular diseases in the population.

Gene-environment interactions and the effect on obesity risk in low and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Background

Obesity represents a major and preventable global health challenge as a complex disease and a modifiable risk factor for developing other non-communicable diseases. In recent years, obesity prevalence has risen more rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared to high-income countries (HICs). Obesity traits are shown to be modulated by an interplay of genetic and environmental factors such as unhealthy diet and physical inactivity in studies from HICs focused on populations of European descent; however, genetic heterogeneity and environmental differences prevent the generalisation of study results to LMICs. Primary research investigating gene-environment interactions (GxE) on obesity in LMICs is limited but expanding. Synthesis of current research would provide an overview of the interactions between genetic variants and environmental factors that underlie the obesity epidemic and identify knowledge gaps for future studies.

Methods

Three databases were searched systematically using a combination of keywords such as "genes", "obesity", "LMIC", "diet", and "physical activity" to find all relevant observational studies published before November 2022.

Results

Eighteen of the 1,373 articles met the inclusion criteria, of which one was a genome-wide association study (GWAS), thirteen used a candidate gene approach, and five were assigned as genetic risk score studies. Statistically significant findings were reported for 12 individual SNPs; however, most studies were small-scale and without replication.

Conclusion

Although the results suggest significant GxE interactions on obesity in LMICs, updated robust statistical techniques with more precise and standardised exposure and outcome measurements are necessary for translatable results. Future research should focus on improved quality replication efforts, emphasising large-scale and long-term longitudinal study designs using multi-ethnic GWAS.

Awareness, use, and need of smart care for older adults: A comparative study based on a survey in Macao, China

Introduction

With population aging, taking care of the older adults has become a challenge for many countries and regions, and smart care for older adults is considered as a solution to this problem. Need is an important factor that determines whether the model of smart care for older adults can be efficiently promoted and ultimately help in effective senior care.

Methods

Based on a survey among older adults and their caregivers in Macao, this paper conducted comparative and correlation studies on the awareness, use, and need of smart care goods and services for older adults.

Results

Differences appeared among the groups based on the different categories and items of goods and services. The respondents' awareness, use, and need of smart senior care were generally low, and levels were lower among older adults than among caregivers; older adults were more concerned about spiritual needs, while the caregivers were more concerned about the health and safety of older adults. Correlation studies showed that awareness of smart senior care was positively related to its use, and these two variables were positively correlated to the need for smart senior care.

Implications

This paper fills in the research gap on the need for smart senior care and can help to promote matching supply and demand to enhance the development of the smart senior care industry.

In the context of the triple burden of malnutrition: A systematic review of gene-diet interactions and nutritional status

Genetic background interacts with dietary components to modulate nutritional health status. This study aimed to review the evidence for gene-diet interactions in all forms of malnutrition. A comprehensive systematic literature search was conducted through April 2021 to identify observational and intervention studies reporting the effects of gene-diet interactions in over-nutrition, under-nutrition and micronutrient status. Risk of publication bias was assessed using the Quality Criteria Checklist and a tool specifically designed for gene-diet interaction research. 167 studies from 27 populations were included. The majority of studies investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in overnutrition (n = 158). Diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits and low in total and saturated fats, such as Mediterranean and DASH diets, showed promising effects for reducing obesity risk among individuals who had higher genetic risk scores for obesity, particularly the risk alleles carriers of FTO rs9939609, rs1121980 and rs1421085. Other SNPs in MC4R, PPARG and APOA5 genes were also commonly studied for interaction with diet on overnutrition though findings were inconclusive. Only limited data were found related to undernutrition (n = 1) and micronutrient status (n = 9). The findings on gene-diet interactions in this review highlight the importance of personalized nutrition, and more research on undernutrition and micronutrient status is warranted.

Genetic and epigenetic nutritional interactions influencing obesity risk and adiposity outcomes

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article aims to critically overview the current interplay of genetic/epigenetic factors and several nutritional aspects influencing obesity susceptibility and adiposity outcomes for obesity management and weight status monitoring.

RECENT FINDINGS

Single nucleotide polymorphisms located in or near genes participating in energy homeostasis, fatty acid metabolism, appetite control, brain regulation, and thermogenesis have been associated with body composition measures (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and visceral adipose tissue) depending on nutrient intakes, dietary patterns, and eating behaviors. Moreover, studies analyzing interactions between the epigenome and dietary intakes in relation to adiposity outcomes are reported. The main epigenetic mechanisms include methylation levels of promoter sequences, telomere length, and micro-ribonucleic acid expression profiles, whereas covalent histone modifications remain less studied.

SUMMARY

Exploring potential interactions between the genetic/epigenetic background and nutritional features is improving the current understanding of the obesity physiopathogenesis and the usefulness of translating this precision information in the clinical setting for weight gain prediction, the design of personalized nutrition therapies as well as individual responsiveness estimation to dietary advice. The analysis of further relationships between the genotype, the epigenotype and other precision markers including the gut microbiota and the metabolome is warranted.

Gene–Environment Interaction on Type 2 Diabetes Risk among Chinese Adults Born in Early 1960s

Background: Gene–environment interactions on type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk are studied little among Chinese adults. Aim: This study aimed to explore the interactions among Chinese adults born in early 1960s. Methods: The interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and environmental factors on T2D risk were analyzed by multiple linear or logistic regression models, and in total 2216 subjects were included with the age of 49.7 ± 1.5 years. Results: High dietary intake increased the effects of rs340874 on impaired fasting glucose (IFG), rs5015480, rs7612463 on T2D (OR = 2.27, 2.37, 11.37, respectively), and reduced the effects of rs7172432 on IFG, rs459193 on impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) (OR = 0.08, 0.28, respectively). The associations between rs4607517 and T2D, rs10906115 and IGT, rs4607103, rs5015480 and IFG could be modified by drinking/smoking (OR = 2.28, 0.20, 3.27, 2.58, respectively). Physical activity (PA) interacted with rs12970134, rs2191349, rs4607517 on T2D (OR = 0.39, 3.50, 2.35, respectively), rs2796441 and rs4607517 on IGT (OR = 0.42, 0.33, respectively), and rs4430796, rs5215, and rs972283 on IFG (OR = 0.39, 3.05, 7.96, respectively). Significant interactions were identified between socioeconomic status and rs10830963, rs13266634 on T2D (OR = 0.41, 0.44, respectively), rs1470579 and rs2796441 on IGT (OR = 2.13, 2.37, respectively), and rs7202877 and rs7612463 on IFG (OR = 5.64, 9.18, respectively). Conclusion: There indeed existed interactions between environmental factors and genetic variants on T2D risk among Chinese adults.

Association between the FTO SNP rs9939609 and Metabolic Syndrome in Chilean Children

Background: The increasing prevalence of obesity in children has raised the incidence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in this age group. Given the short- and long-term health impact of MetS, it is essential to prevent its onset by detecting its main triggers. Besides, genetic factors play an essential role in influencing which individuals within a population are most likely to develop obesity in response to a particular environment. In this regard, a common variation in the FTO gene is reproducibly associated with BMI and obesity from childhood and the genetic load has been linked to several cardiovascular risk factors, highlighting the FTO single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9939609. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the relationship between the FTO SNP rs9939609 and MetS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 220 children from the Biobío region (Chile). MetS diagnosis was established through the modified Cook criteria, using prevalence ratios, COR curves, and linear regressions to determine its association with MetS and its components. Results: The prevalence of MetS was significantly increased among carriers of the risk allele (A): TT, 20.2%; TA, 25.4%; AA, 44.7% (p = 0.006). Also, the presence of A was associated with altered MetS-related variables. Conclusions: The FTO SNP rs9939609 was associated with a raised prevalence of MetS among A allele carriers, and was higher in the homozygous genotype (AA).