Sensation‐seeking genes and physical activity in youth

Abstract

Many studies examining genetic influences on physical activity (PA) have evaluated the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to the development of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, under the hypothesis that they would be associated with PA. However, PA is a multi-determined behavior and associated with a multitude of health consequences. Thus, examining a broader range of candidate genes associated with a boarder range of PA correlates may provide new insights into the genetic underpinnings of PA. In this study we focus on one such correlate – sensation seeking behavior. Participants (N=1,130 Mexican origin youth) provided a saliva sample and data on PA and sensation seeking tendencies in 2008–09. Participants were genotyped for 630 functional and tagging variants in the dopamine, serotonin, and cannabinoid pathways. Overall 30% of participants (males – 37.6%; females – 22.0%) reported ≥60 minutes of PA on five out of seven days. After adjusting for gender, age and population stratification, and applying the Bayesian False Discovery Probability approach for assessing noteworthiness, four gene variants were significantly associated with PA. In a multivariable model, being male, having higher sensation seeking tendencies and at least one copy of the minor allele for SNPs in ACE (rs8066276 OR=1.44; p=0.012) and TPH2 (rs11615016 OR=1.73; p=0.021) were associated with increased likelihood of meeting PA recommendations. Participants with at least one copy of the minor allele for SNPs in SNAP25 (rs363035 OR=0.53; p=0.005) and CNR1 (rs6454672 OR=0.62; p=0.022) have decreased likelihood of meeting PA recommendations. Our findings extend current knowledge of the complex relationship between PA and possible genetic underpinnings.

Correlates of Physical Activity Differ by Sex and Country of Birth Among Mexican-Heritage Youth

“…However, among participants in our cohort of Mexican heritage youth, we observed a moderate inverse association between linguistic acculturation and participation in community sports [13]. Consistent with this finding, although not significantly different, a higher proportion of youth born in Mexico participated in at least 60 minutes of PA on five days out of seven compared to youth born in the U.S [14]. In addition, we observed clear sex-specific effects among youth who are not highly acculturated, as more boys than girls were more likely to meet PA standards [15].…”

“…In our previous work in this cohort, adolescents who met PA standards reported higher levels of thrill and adventure seeking than their peers who did not meet PA standards [15], before and after adjustment for genetic variance associated with sensation-seeking [14]. In the current analysis, the association between thrill and adventure seeking and PA was stronger for youth born in Mexico compared to youth born in the U.S.…”

“…As such, it is possible that the measures were not entirely transferable to the culture and/or language (Spanish) of our participants, which may have influenced our results. Also, PA levels were not objectively measured with an accelerometer, but rather by administering a self-reported survey question; therefore, derived estimates are subject to potential recall bias [14]. Finally, because all participants reside in Houston, Texas the generalizability of our results to other Hispanic groups in the U.S. may be limited.…”

Retraction Notice to: <i>DRD2/ANKK1</i> gene polymorphism rs1800497 is associated with exercise habit in the period from childhood to adolescence in Japanese

“…A genetic influence of exercise behavior may be easily detected during the younger period. On the other hand, a previous study, that examined associations between PA level and 630 SNPs in genes related to the dopamine, serotonin, opioid, and cannabinoid pathways, showed that several SNPs were associated with PA 31) . Many polymorphisms are related to complex traits, such as exercise behavior or PA level, and the environment surrounding individuals also affects them.…”

“…It has been reported that there were no significant associations between DRD2/ANKK1 TaqIA polymorphism (rs1800497) and current PA level 30,31) or current exercise habit 19) . These results, derived from a subjective assessment of PA only in youth or post-menopausal women using a questionnaire, were consistent with those of the present study wherein an objective questionnaire was used for PA assessment.…”