Energy and macronutrient intake heritability: A systematic review and meta-analysis of twin and family-based studies.

Hossein Farhadnejad, Maryam Zarkesh, Mohammadreza Vafa, Hamid Ahmadirad, Ebrahim Mokhtari, Parvin Mirmiran, Maryam S Daneshpour, Farshad Teymoori, Mahdi Akbarzadeh, Parisa Riahi

Journal: Clinical nutrition ESPEN 2024;61():79-87

PMID: 38777476

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The current meta-analysis aimed to examine the heritability and familial resemblance of dietary intakes, including energy and macronutrients in both twin and family-based studies.

METHODS

The online literature databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched comprehensively until 2023 to identify the relevant studies. The heritability index in family studies was h and the heritability indices for twin studies were h, A, and E. Three weighted methods were used to calculate the mean and SE of heritability dietary intakes.

RESULTS

Eighteen papers including 8 studies on familial population and 12 for twin population studies were included in the present meta-analysis. The heritability of dietary intakes in twin studies (range of pooled estimated h, A and E was 30-55%, 14-42%, and 52-79%, respectively) was higher than family studies (range of pooled estimated h = 16-39%). In family studies, the highest and lowest heritability for various nutrients was observed for the fat (%Kcal) (h range:36-38%) and carbohydrate in g (h range:16-18%), respectively. In twin studies, based on mean h, the highest and lowest heritability for various nutrients was reported for the fat (%Kcal) (h range:49-55%) and protein intake in g (h range:30-35%), respectively. Also, based on the mean of A, the highest and lowest heritability was observed for carbohydrates (% Kcal) (A range:42-42%), and protein (% Kcal) (A range:14-16%), respectively. Furthermore, in twin studies, the highest and lowest mean of E was shown for saturated fats (E range:74-79%) and energy intake (E range:52-57%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our analysis indicated that both environmental factors and genetics have noticeable contributions in determining the heritability of dietary intakes. Also, we observed higher heritability in twins compared to family studies.

Address: Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutrition and Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].; Nutritional Sciences Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.03.016

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Nutrients, Energy Intake, Diet, Twins, Family, Twin Studies as Topic, Dietary Fats