Search

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified multiple loci associated with BMI or the waist:hip ratio (WHR). However, evidence on gene-lifestyle interactions is still scarce, and investigation of the effects of well-documented dietary and other lifestyle data is warranted to assess whether genetic risk can be modified by lifestyle. We assessed whether previously established BMI and WHR genetic variants associate with obesity and weight change in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study, and whether the associations are modified by dietary factors or physical activity. Individuals (n 459) completed a 3 d food record and were genotyped for twenty-six BMI- and fourteen WHR-related variants. The effects of the variants individually and in combination were investigated in relation to obesity and to 1- and 3-year weight change by calculating genetic risk scores (GRS). The GRS were separately calculated for BMI and the WHR by summing the increasing alleles weighted by their published effect sizes. At baseline, the GRS were not associated with total intakes of energy, macronutrients or fibre. The mean 1- and 3-year weight changes were not affected by the BMI or WHR GRS. During the 3-year follow-up, a trend for higher BMI by the GRS was detected especially in those who reported a diet low in fibre (P for interaction=0·065). Based on the present findings, it appears unlikely that obesity-predisposing variants substantially modify the effect of lifestyle modification on the success of weight reduction in the long term. In addition, these findings suggest that the association between the BMI-related genetic variants and obesity could be modulated by the diet.

Introduction: Effect of physical activity in pregnancy on preeclampsia (PE) and angiogenic markers is not well understood. We studied the association of physical activity and PE in a case-control setting and assessed whether exercise in PE and non-PE women associate with maternal serum concentrations of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (s-Flt-1), placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble endoglin (sEng) and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio in the Finnish Genetics of Pre-eclampsia Consortium (FINNPEC) cohort. Materials and methods: Participants completed a questionnaire on their background information and serum samples were collected from a subset. Questionnaire data on physical activity were available from 708 PE women and 724 non-PE women. Both first trimester serum samples and questionnaire data on physical activity were available from 160 PE women and 160 non-PE women, and second/third trimester serum samples and questionnaire data on physical activity were available from 139 PE women and 47 non-PE women. The PE and non-PE women were divided into categories of physically active (exercise 2-3 times/week or more) and physically inactive (exercise less than 2-3 times/week). Results: A total of 43.4% of the PE women and 42.4% of the non-PE women were categorized as physically active. There were no differences in physical activity and exercise habits between the groups. The physically active women were more often nulliparous and non-smokers and had a lower body mass index. There were no differences in the concentrations of angiogenic markers (sFlt-1, PlGF and sEng and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio) between the groups who exercised more or less than 2-3 times/week. Conclusions: In the FINNPEC study cohort, there was no association between physical activity and PE and no associations of physical activity in pregnant women with and without PE with maternal serum concentrations of sFlt-1, PlGF and sEng and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Preeclampsia (PE) is a heterogeneous disorder and research to date has principally focused on maternal factors. In this study, however, we considered the associations between background factors and preeclampsia in men who fathered preeclamptic and non‐preeclamptic pregnancies. Material and methods: From 2008 to 2011, participants in the Finnish Genetics of Pre‐eclampsia Consortium (FINNPEC) cohort completed a questionnaire on their background information. Questionnaire data were available from 586 men who had fathered a preeclamptic pregnancy (PE fathers) and 660 control men who had fathered a non‐preeclamptic pregnancy. Two different control groups were established: Group 1: healthy controls (n = 457), which consisted of fathers whose current partners were healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies; Group 2: other controls (n = 203), which also included fathers whose current partners had other pregnancy complications. Results: The PE fathers more often reported preeclampsia in a previously fathered pregnancy (p < 0.05 for all). The PE and control fathers were similar in age, body mass index, smoking, and preexisting medical conditions. There were no differences in the socioeconomic background or health history of the PE and control fathers or their parents. Conclusions: In the FINNPEC study cohort, the occurrence of preeclampsia in a previously fathered pregnancy was more common among the men who had fathered a preeclamptic pregnancy; other paternal phenotypic and lifestyle characteristics did not play a significant role in preeclampsia susceptibility of their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]