Citation
Nagata, Jason M.; Domingue, Benjamin W.; Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten; Garber, Andrea K.; Griffiths, S.; & Murray, Stuart B. (2018). The shared genetic risk for body mass index and weight loss behaviors. 2018 Add Health Users Conference. Bethesda, MD.Abstract
Background: Three genetic loci have been found to be involved with both body mass index (BMI) and anorexia nervosa, however, it is unknown if genetic risk for BMI is associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors. Objective: To determine the association between BMI genetic risk score and eating behaviors in young adults. Study design: We used longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health Sibling Pairs cohort when subjects were 18-26 years old (Wave 3). Genetic risk scores included 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified in published genome-wide association studies for BMI. Phenotypes included self-reported: 1) weight loss goals; 2) dieting; and 3) "unhealthy weight control behaviors” such as vomiting, fasting/skipping meals, or laxative/diuretic use to lose weight. Results: Among 745 subjects, BMI genetic risk score was associated with higher odds of trying to lose weight in females (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.13) and males (OR 1.10, 1.01-1.20). BMI genetic risk score was associated with higher odds of dieting (OR 1.08, 1.01-1.15) and unhealthy weight control behaviors (OR 1.14, 1.05-1.24; OR 1.10, 1.02-1.21 when adjusting for BMI) in females, but not in males. Discussion: Genetic risk for obesity was associated with a desire to lose weight in both males and females; however, it was only associated with dieting and unhealthy weight control behaviors in females. BMI genetic risk was independently associated with unhealthy weight control behaviors even when adjusting for BMI. Further understanding the genetic risk for obesity and unhealthy weight control behaviors may advance future prevention and treatment strategies.Reference Type
Conference proceedingBook Title
2018 Add Health Users ConferenceAuthor(s)
Nagata, Jason M.Domingue, Benjamin W.
Bibbins-Domingo, Kirsten
Garber, Andrea K.
Griffiths, S.
Murray, Stuart B.