The Association between Obesity-Risk Genes and Gestational Weight Gain Is Modified by Dietary Intake in African American Women

Abstract

Obesity-risk genes have been associated with dietary intake, appetite regulation, and gestational weight gain (GWG). The purpose of this study was to examine whether dietary intake including total energy intake and macronutrients modify or mediate the association between obesity-risk genes and GWG. An observational study was conducted with 85 African American pregnant women. Sociodemographic, medical, and lifestyle factors and dietary recalls were collected during pregnancy. Seven obesity-risk genetic variants were genotyped. Regression analyses with bootstrapping methods were used to examine the moderation and mediation effects of dietary intake. The mean GWG was 14.2 kg, and 55.3% of the women gained above the Institute of Medicine GWG guidelines. A nominally significant association was found between rs17782313 (close to MC4R) and percentage of energy intake from fat (P=0.043). A variant downstream of KCTD15 (rs11084753) was nominally significantly related to GWG (P=0.023). There was a significant interaction between the KCTD15 polymorphism and dietary fat intake (P=0.048). Women with the AG genotype gained more weight during pregnancy with more dietary fat consumption. In conclusion, our results indicate that dietary macronutrients, especially fat intake, may modify the effect of the KCTD15 gene on GWG. Improved knowledge of gene-diet interactions can facilitate the development of personalized interventions.

Gestational weight gain in sub-Saharan Africa: Estimation based on pseudo-cohort design

“…The low GWG trajectory observed in the region is reflective of several underlying determinants including suboptimal maternal nutrition, poor access to social services and low socio-economic status [12]. Genetic factors can also significantly affect GWG [12,25]. Our analysis suggested that GWG in SSA is only increased by 6.6 kg from the estimated pre-pregnancy weight of 57.1 kg to 63.7 kg at the end of pregnancy.…”

“…The low GWG trajectory observed in the region is reflective of several underlying determinants including suboptimal maternal nutrition, poor access to social services and low socio-economic status [ 12 ]. Genetic factors can also significantly affect GWG [ 12 , 25 ].…”

Variants of the Cry 1 Gene May Influence the Effect of Fat Intake on Resting Metabolic Rate In Overweight and Obese Women: A Cross-sectional Study

“…Indeed, previous research has shown that presence of the G risk allele was linked to decreased insulin secretion and sensitivity (52). In a study consisting of African-American pregnant women, it was indicated that participants who were C allele carriers have lower fat intake than non-carriers (53). Recently, Moradi et al (54) posited that dietary fat intake may have an effect on RMR and RMR/FFM among obese women.…”

Individual, Family, and Social Factors Associated with Gestational Weight Gain in Adolescents: A Scoping Review

“…In this context, polymorphisms in the LEPR and FTO genes have been associated with GWG, at least in adult women, particularly in those beginning pregnancy with overweight or obesity [ 12 , 78 ]. Furthermore, the intake of rich lipid foods is associated with the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism [ 79 ] and the expression levels of the FTO gene [ 80 ]. Hence, epigenetic effects during pregnancy could contribute to helping to understand the mechanisms of GWG and pBMI in the long-term health outcomes of the mother and her offspring.…”