GWAS identifies 14 loci for device-measured physical activity and sleep duration.

ABSTRACT: Physical activity and sleep duration are established risk factors for many diseases, but their aetiology is poorly understood, partly due to relying on self-reported evidence. Here we report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of device-measured physical activity and sleep duration in 91,105 UK Biobank participants, finding 14 significant loci (7 novel). These loci account for 0.06% of activity and 0.39% of sleep duration variation. Genome-wide estimates of ~?15% phenotypic variation indicate high polygenicity. Heritability is higher in women than men for overall activity (23 vs. 20%, p?=?1.5?×?10-4) and sedentary behaviours (18 vs. 15%, p?=?9.7?×?10-4). Heritability partitioning, enrichment and pathway analyses indicate the central nervous system plays a role in activity behaviours. Two-sample Mendelian randomisation suggests that increased activity might causally lower diastolic blood pressure (beta mmHg/SD: -0.91, SE?=?0.18, p?=?8.2?×?10-7), and odds of hypertension (Odds ratio/SD: 0.84, SE?=?0.03, p?=?4.9?×?10-8). Our results advocate the value of physical activity for reducing blood pressure.

SUBMITTER: Doherty A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6288145 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature