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.

Mason, Kate E ORCID: 0000-0001-5020-5256, Palla, Luigi ORCID: 0000-0001-6944-1750, Pearce, Neil ORCID: 0000-0002-9938-7852, Phelan, Jody ORCID: 0000-0001-8323-7019 and Cummins, Steven ORCID: 0000-0002-3957-4357 (2020) 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. BMJ nutrition, prevention & health, 3 (2). pp. 247-255.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Text
bmjnph-2020-000107.full.pdf - Published version
Download (1MB) | Preview

Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000107

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>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).<h4>Methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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 <i>MC4R</i> (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.<h4>Conclusions</h4>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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	dietary patterns, malnutrition
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2020 10:31
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 23:29
DOI:	10.1136/bmjnph-2020-000107
Open Access URL:	http://10.0.4.112/bmjnph-2020-000107
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3103829