Genetic Determinants of Macronutrient Intake Are Associated With Specific Food Intake in Youth: A Cohort Study Across Childhood and Adolescence
Authors' conclusion
Genetic susceptibility for carbohydrate intake is associated with SSB and fast-food consumption in youth.
Study context
- Population
- Non-Hispanic White children, Project Viva cohort, followed at ages ∼3, 8, 13 and 18 years
- Participants
- 516 children
- Exposure
- Per 1-SD higher macronutrient intake polygenic score
- Outcome
- Food intake (sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) ≥2 servings/week; fast food ≥1 time/week) per 1-SD increase in PS
- Follow-up
- Ages 3 to 18 years
Methodological detailslongitudinal, polygenic scores from adult genome-wide association study
- Longitudinal
- Polygenic scores from adult genome-wide association study
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Odds ratio (95% CI)
Carbohydrate PS (per 1-SD)SSB ≥2 servings/week
1.20(1.07–1.33)
Carbohydrate PS (per 1-SD)fast food ≥1 time/week
1.11(1.004–1.23)
Protein PS (higher)SSB consumption
0.84(0.75–0.93)
Each row per its own increment, as printed
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Cardiometabolic outcomes
- No consistent associations between macronutrient intake polygenic scores (PS) and cardiometabolic outcomes
Hypothalamic gene enrichment (Human HYPOMAP)
- Hypothalamic regional and neurotransmitter-specific patterns of gene enrichment for carbohydrate or protein intake
Original publication
Genetic Determinants of Macronutrient Intake Are Associated With Specific Food Intake in Youth: A Cohort Study Across Childhood and Adolescence. Diabetes Care. Published 29 June 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →