Genetic Variation in <b><i>CD36 </i></b>Is Associated with Decreased Fat and Sugar Intake in Obese Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Background/Aims: Taste is recognized as an important predictor of food choices. Thus, polymorphisms in genes encoding taste receptors may explain the variability in food preference and intake. Here, we aimed to determine whether genetic variation in the CD36 gene affects food intake and risk of obesity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with obese Brazilian children and adolescents (n = 466; BMI-for-age z-score [zBMI] 3.29 ± 0.61) and normal-weight children (n = 114; zBMI -0.11 ± 0.7). To assess the obesity risk according to genotypes, a logistic regression adjusted for age and gender was performed. Two 24-h food recalls assessed total energy (kcal/day) and macronutrient (% kcal and g/day) intake, consumption of sweet and fatty tasting foods (portion and g/day), as well as the most commonly consumed foods (mL or g/day). The food portion sizes were measured according to Brazilian guidelines. The genetic variant rs1761667 (A/G) in CD36 was genotyped by real-time PCR. Results: We found no relationship between rs1761667 genotypes and obesity risk. A significant genetic association between CD36 genotype and fat intake was observed for the A allele of rs1761667, which was associated with a decreased intake of total fat (g/day) (p = 0.01), polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (% kcal and g/day), total sugars (g/day) (p = 0.01), fatty foods (portion and g/day) (p < 0.001 for both), and vegetable oils (mL/day) (p = 0.02) only in obese subjects. No differences were found between normal-weight children. Conclusion: The A allele of the rs1761667 single nucleotide polymorphism in CD36 is associated with decreased fat and sugar intake in obese children and adolescents.

Genetic Variations in Sweet Taste Receptor Gene Are Related to Chocolate Powder and Dietary Fiber Intake in Obese Children and Adolescents

“…Also, it is worthwhile to mention that neuronal factors can have an important impact on food behavior, since genetic variants can be related to the food intake, but not necessarily to the preference for the food consumed [ 41 , 42 , 43 ]. We highlight the importance of taste perception tests, as well as the development of a food preference questionnaire regarding the sweet taste in future studies, in order to contribute to the understanding of food behavior in obese children and adolescents [ 44 ].…”

Impact of Taste on Food Choices in Adolescence—Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Taste perception was assessed in all 13 papers: 5 papers conducted taste phenotype measures [40][41][42]47,52], 3 papers conducted taste genotype measures [45,50,51], and 5 papers measures both phenotype and genotype [43,44,46,48,49].…”

CD36 – a plausible modifier of disease phenotype in familial adenomatous polyposis

“…For SNP rs1761667 the presence of the A (minor/variant) allele has been associated with decreased fat/sugar intake in obese children and increased BMI in T2DM [ 25 ]. Intriguingly, the AA genotype has also been associated with lower BMI [ 26 ] and high threshold of gustatory fat detection in obese women [ 27 ].…”