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Genetic overlap between executive functions and BMI in childhood.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Executive functions (EFs) comprise a group of cognitive processes that selectively control and regulate attention. Inverse relations have been reported between EFs and BMI. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood. OBJECTIVES:We aimed to decompose the inverse relation between EFs and BMI into genetic and environmental components. METHODS:We employed a cross-sectional analysis of data from 869 twins aged 7-15 y from the Texas Twin Project, who completed a neuropsychological test battery measuring 4 EFs (switching, inhibitory control, working memory, and updating); academic achievement (reading and mathematics); and general cognitive abilities (general intelligence/intelligence quotient; crystallized and fluid intelligence; and processing speed). Participants also had their height and weight measured. RESULTS:After controlling for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, BMI was inversely associated with a general EF factor representing the capacity to control and regulate goal-oriented behaviors (r = -0.125; P = 0.01; Q = 0.04). This inverse BMI-EF association was due to a significant overlap in genetic factors contributing to each phenotype (genetic correlation, rA, = -0.15; P < 0.001). Shared genetic influences accounted for 80% of the phenotypic association. CONCLUSIONS:Children with higher general EF have lower BMIs, and this association is primarily attributable to shared genetic influences on both phenotypes. The results emphasize that higher weight associates not only with physical sequelae, but also with important cognitive attributes. This work adds to a growing body of research suggesting there are sets of genetic variants common across physical health and cognitive functioning.

SUBMITTER: Wood AC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6766443 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Genetic overlap between executive functions and BMI in childhood.

Wood Alexis C AC Vainik Uku U Engelhardt Laura E LE Briley Daniel A DA Grotzinger Andrew D AD Church Jessica A JA Harden K Paige KP Tucker-Drob Elliot M EM

The American journal of clinical nutrition 20191001 4

<h4>Background</h4>Executive functions (EFs) comprise a group of cognitive processes that selectively control and regulate attention. Inverse relations have been reported between EFs and BMI. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood.<h4>Objectives</h4>We aimed to decompose the inverse relation between EFs and BMI into genetic and environmental components.<h4>Methods</h4>We employed a cross-sectional analysis of data from 869 twins aged 7-15 y from the Texas Twi ...[more]

PMID: 31216571

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Project description:BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:Although childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been previously associated with concurrent and later obesity in adulthood, the etiology of this association remains unclear. The objective of this study is to determine the shared genetic effects of ADHD symptoms and BMI in a large sample of sibling pairs, consider how these shared effects may vary over time, and examine potential sex differences. SUBJECT/METHODS:Sibling pair data were obtained from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health); childhood ADHD symptoms were reported retrospectively during young adulthood, while three prospective measurements of BMI were available from young adulthood to later adulthood. Cholesky decomposition models were fit to this data using Mx and maximum-likelihood estimation. The twin and sibling sample for these analyses included: 221 monozygotic (MZ) pairs (92 male-male, 139 female-female), 228 dizygotic (DZ) pairs (123 male-male, 105 female-female), 471 full-sibling (FS) pairs (289 male-male, 182 female-female), 106 male-female DZ twin pairs, and 234 male-female FS pairs. RESULTS:The magnitude of the association between childhood ADHD symptoms and BMI changed over time and by sex. The etiological relationship between childhood ADHD symptoms and the three prospective measurements of BMI differed for males and females, such that unique or non-shared environmental influences contributed to the relationship within males and genetic factors contributed to the relationship within females. Specifically, among females, genetic influences on childhood ADHD symptoms were partially shared with those effecting BMI and increased from adolescence to later adulthood (genetic correlation?=?0.20 (95% CI: 0.07-0.36) in adolescence and 0.24 (95% CI: 0.10, 0.41) in adulthood). CONCLUSION:Genetic influences on ADHD symptoms in childhood are partially shared with those effecting obesity. However, future research is needed to determine why this association is limited to females.

Dataset Information

Genetic overlap between executive functions and BMI in childhood.

Publications

Genetic overlap between executive functions and BMI in childhood.

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