Genetic and Environmental Relationships Between Change in Weight and Insulin Resistance: The Healthy Twin Study

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association between weight change from 20 years of age and insulin resistance (IR), and genetic and environmental relationships between these traits. In 594 Korean twins and family members (209 men, 385 women, 44.0 ± 10.8 years old), the percentage of weight change was calculated using self-reported body weight at 20 years of age and currently measured bodyweight. IR traits were assessed using fasting plasma glucose and insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of IR index (HOMA-IR), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). Linear mixed analysis was applied after adjusting for household, body mass index (BMI) at the age of 20 years, age, sex, alcohol, smoking, physical activity, and caloric intake. Heritabilities and genetic and environmental correlations were estimated after adjusting for covariates. In 55 monozygotic twin pairs discordant for HOMA-IR level by >0.3, a conditional logistic regression analysis was conducted regarding weight change. Increases in glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR and a decrease in QUICKI were associated with a higher percentage of weight change (p < .05). Estimated heritabilities for IR traits were 0.401-0.606 (p < .001). In cross-trait relationships, environmental correlations were -0.43-0.42 (p < .05 for all IR), while genetic correlations were -0.27-0.27 (p < .05 for QUICKI, insulin, and HOMA-IR). In 55 pairs of monozygotic twins, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for having a higher level of HOMA-IR was 1.10 (1.03-1.17) with 1% increase in weight change since 20 years old, after adjusting for lifestyle-related factors. In conclusion, both genetic and environmental influences played significant roles in the positive association between weight change from 20 years of age and IR.

Segmental fat‐free and fat mass measurements by bioelectrical impedance analysis in 2,224 healthy spanish women aged 18–85 years

“…Therefore, certain individuals with a particular genetic blueprint may be more likely to eat to excess when confronted by the multiple eating opportunities in our environment and consequently gain more weight. The contribution of other genetic factors, such as conditioned insulin resistance (Song et al, ), adiponectin and leptin (Liu et al, ), has also been demonstrated. Further investigations are needed to correctly address the influence of genetic background on the prevalence of obesity in our area.…”

Predation risk modulates diet‐induced obesity in male C57BL/6 mice

“…Obesity has been explained as an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, social, and environmental factors . Observations on many wild small mammal species have suggested that, contrary to humans, they have a strong regulation mechanism that allows them to avoid the risk of becoming obese .…”

Metabolic Syndrome Relationship and Risk Factors Associated With Immediate Life Path Environments

“…Os genes podem influenciar os fenótipos que envolvem variados estados de doenças, os fenó-tipos são relevantes para os comportamentos e respostas como modificadores das exposições ambientais, e estes últimos podem modificar as marcas epigenéticas e a função dos genes. (Song, 2014) A relação ambiente e Genes interagem podendo formar um ciclo de fatores que aumentam a predisposição à síndrome metabólica. Desse modo, as variações genéticas e certos fatores ambientais influenciam para desencadear e manter quantidades significativas de distúrbios no organismo.…”

“…Alterações que refletem a prevalência de um ambiente imediatista e podem influenciar estratégias de percursos de vida como respostas aos fatores de riscos (Giudice, Del, Gangestad e Kaplan, 2015;Kellermann, 2001;, sendo preditivos relevantes que estão associados aos riscos das doenças crônicas e transtornos comportamentais. (Song, 2014;Baranowskv et al, 1998;Yehuda et al, 2014)…”