ASPO Abstracts
Effect modification by PNPLA3 risk allele status in the relationships between adherence to dietary guidelines and body composition among Mexican-origin Hispanic adults with overweight or obesity
Category: Lifestyles Behavior, Energy Balance & Chemoprevention
Conference Year: 2022
Abstract Body:
Purpose: To examine the relationship between the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2020 and body composition among Mexican-origin (MO) Hispanic adults and to evaluate effect modification by presence of the patatin-like phospholipase 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 gene polymorphism (C>G).Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of participant data from MO Hispanic adults with overweight or obesity enrolled in a previous cross-sectional study. HEI scores were calculated from the average of three 24-hr dietary recalls collected by trained bilingual staff over the telephone on two weekdays and one weekend in the participant's preferred language. Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance (InBody 270). Participants were categorized as having either zero or at least one PNPLA3 rs738409 "G" risk allele. The associations between HEI and body fat and lean mass percentages were tested using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, sedentary time (min/day), education, and income. A linear regression model with an interaction term was conducted to test if PNPLA3 risk allele status modified the relationship between HEI and body fat and lean mass percentages. Linear regression models were then replicated stratified by PNPLA3 risk allele status. Results: The analytic sample consisted of 157 MO adults (n= 66 men, n= 91 women) with a mean age of 44.7 ± 10.8 years. In this sample, mean HEI was 54.7±12.16, mean body fat percentage 37.2 ± 11.45%, and mean lean mass 14.4 ± 3.0%. No significant association was found between HEI and body fat (p=0.06) or lean mass (p=0.89). The relationship between HEI and body fat percentage (p-interaction=0.04), but not lean mass (p-interaction=0.19), was modified by PNPLA3 risk allele status. Specifically, among those with at least one PNPLA3 risk allele, a one-point higher HEI score was associated with a 0.25 lower body fat percentage (p=0.003). Conclusion: In a sample of MO Hispanic adults with overweight and obesity, higher HEI score was associated with lower body fat percentage among individuals with at least one PNPLA3 risk allele. More rigorous examination of these relationships with a larger sample size of MO Hispanic adults who demonstrate more variation in body mass index (underweight to class III obesity) is warranted.
Keywords: Diet quality, body composition, Mexican-origin Hispanics