Genetic and environmental influences on nutrient intake

Abstract

The relationship between genetic and the environment represents a pathway to better understand individual variations in nutrition intake and food preferences. However, the present literature is weakened somewhat by methodological flaws (e.g., overreliance on self-report questionnaires), discrepancies in statistical approaches, and inconsistent findings. Little research on this topic to date has included examination of micronutrient intake. The purpose of this study is to improve the existing literature on genetic and environmental influences on energy and nutrient intake by addressing these gaps. Twin pairs (N = 358; age 11-13 years) provided 3-day food intake diaries, which were assessed for intake of total energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients. Structural equation modeling revealed that genetic influences accounted for a significant portion of the total variance in total energy (48 %), macronutrients (35-45 %), minerals (45 %), and vitamins (21 %). Consistent with previous studies, the shared environment appeared to contribute little to nutritional intake. Findings on vitamin and mineral intake are novel and are particularly beneficial for further research on the contribution of micronutrients to individual physical health status. Better understanding of the linkage between genes, environment, and nutritional intake and deficiencies can clarify behavioral and physical outcomes, potentially informing risk reduction, primary prevention, and intervention strategies.

Bitter Taste Perception and Dietary Intake Patterns in Irish Children

“…Within this context, a recent report highlighted the lack of studies examining genetic contribution to micronutrient intakes [90]. The present study contributes to this field in a number of ways: not only by examining micronutrient intake, overall food intake and dietary patterns in relation to the TAS2R38 genotype, but also by examining BMI z-scores, a known indicator for weight-related disease.…”

Little evidence for intralocus sexual conflict over the optimal intake of nutrients for life span and reproduction in the black field cricketTeleogryllus commodus

“…Understanding the relative contribution of genes and the environment to food selection remains a major challenge in the fields of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics (e.g., Reed ; Liu et al. ). There is convincing support from studies on humans and rodent models that macronutrient intake has a genetic basis.…”

“…This finding is in general agreement with sexual selection theory, which predicts that female fitness will be maximized through a "low wear and tear" strategy that yields moderate rates of return over longer time periods (Graves 2007;Bonduriansky et al 2008), and is consistent with the fact that female T. commodus, on average, live longer than males under both natural (Zajitschek et al 2009a) and seminatural (Zajitschek et al 2009b) conditions. Understanding the relative contribution of genes and the environment to food selection remains a major challenge in the fields of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics (e.g., Reed 2008;Liu et al 2013). There is convincing support from studies on humans and rodent models that macronutrient intake has a genetic basis.…”

“…There is convincing support from studies on humans and rodent models that macronutrient intake has a genetic basis. For example, twin studies in humans have shown that the intake of protein, carbohydrates, and fat all have a genetic basis, although considerable variation in genetic estimates for different nationalities and the sexes were found (Liu et al 2013). Far less, however, is known about the genetics of macronutrient intake in insects, with only a single study examining the genetics of P and C intake under dietary choice in male and female D. melanogaster (Reddiex et al 2013).…”

Neurological and Epigenetic Implications of Nutritional Deficiencies on Psychopathology: Conceptualization and Review of Evidence

“…Genetic effects could account for much of the heterogeneity among the population in terms of nutrient intake and personal food preferences. For example in a population-based, twin design study, it was recently confirmed that genetic influences and non-shared environment account for a significant portion of the total energy and macronutrient intake—almost half of the variance in total energy, macronutrients and minerals [ 2 ]. The implications of interaction between genetics and environmental factors on nutrition can be further expanded to a variety of physical and mental health outcomes.…”