Predictors of uptake of obesity genetic testing among affected adults

Abstract

Given that a large number of candidate genes coding for a tendency toward obesity have been identified and some findings have been replicated, we explored characteristics of those who would be most likely to obtain future genetic testing for this tendency. During a series of focus groups, obese respondents rated their likelihood of obtaining testing under conditions in which either genetically-targeted drug treatment would be available, a positive test would be associated with a prognosis for developing diabetes, or neither of these. Interest in testing was greater given the first two scenarios than the third. Older age and belief that genetics were an important cause of obesity were associated with greater interest. For the first two scenarios, higher educational status was associated with greater interest, while for the third, respondents who said emotional issues caused overweight and those who crash-dieted intermittently were more likely to want genetic testing. Although further research is required to validate these findings, this study is the first published report of respondents' ratings of likelihood to obtain genetic testing for propensity to obesity, and suggests strong interest in genetic testing among some people, even in the absence of further treatment implications of the test.

Willingness to participate in genomics research and desire for personal results among underrepresented minority patients: a structured interview study

“…In the present analyses, we found that genetic causal beliefs did not affect interest in receiving personal results. This is in contrast to our expectation that participants who attribute complex diseases to genetic factors would report finding more value in receiving personal genomic results, and are also in contrast to the findings of Segal et al (2007a). The relationship between genetic causal beliefs and interest in personal genomic information warrant further investigation.…”

“…Associations between genetic causal beliefs and reactions to personal genetic test results have previously been explored (Cameron et al 2009;Decruyenaere et al 2000;Marteau and Weinman 2006), but with the exception of one focus group study examining interest in genetic testing for obesity among obese adults (Segal et al 2007a), the present study is the first that we are aware of to examine the association between genetic causal beliefs and interest in personal genomic information upstream in the genomic feedback process in an unselected patient population. We previously reported that the majority of participants in this study believed that genetics influences all four diseases "some" to "a lot" (Sanderson et al 2013).…”

“…Our finding that at least 80 % of participants were interested in genomic information regardless of disease type suggests that people will be interested in genomic susceptibility information regardless of exactly what type of disease the genomic information pertains to, at least in the domain of personal susceptibility to common, chronic conditions. Critically, although two focus group studies have previously assessed interest in genetic testing for obesity among obese adults (Segal et al 2007a), and among parents of obese children (Segal et al 2007b), ours is the first to assess public interest in receiving personal results about genomic susceptibility to obesity and to compare that interest to other, related diseases using quantitative methods in a larger, more representative, patient population. Our finding that participants were significantly less interested in receiving personal genomic information about obesity than about cancer, heart disease or type 2 diabetes was novel.…”

“…In addition, only two studies have assessed interest in receiving personal genomic information about obesity among obese adults (Segal et al 2007a), and among parents of obese children (Segal et al 2007b), both of which were focus group studies. Research is needed that addresses interest in receiving personal results from genomics research regarding complex conditions such as obesity and related diseases, among racially and ethnically diverse individuals from underprivileged backgrounds, using methodologies (e.g., structured interviews) that do not put literacy demands on the individuals.…”

“…Empirical research in the clinical genetics realm has suggested that cognitive factors such as perceived threat of disease are important predictors of uptake of genetic test results for diseases like hereditary breast cancer and colon cancer among high risk populations (Lerman et al 1994(Lerman et al , 1995Jacobsen et al 1997;Croyle and Lerman 1993;Bratt et al 2000;Cameron et al 2009). Genetic causal beliefs have also been found to be a possible predictor of interest in personal genomic information (Segal et al 2007a). There is theoretical support from models of health behavior that support both of these cognitions being potentially important predictors of interest in receiving personal results from genomics research (Rogers 1983;Leventhal et al 1997Leventhal et al , 2001).…”