Genetic Variants and Physical Activity Interact To Affect Bone Density in Hispanic Children

Authors

Ruixue Hou
Shelley A Cole
Mariaelisa Graff
Yujie Wang
Karin Haack
Sandra Laston
Nitesh R Mehta
Roman J Shypailo
Margaret L Gourlay
Anthony G Comuzzie
Kari E North
Nancy F Butte
Venkata Saroja Voruganti

Publication Date

2-15-2021

Journal

BMC Pediatrics

DOI

10.1186/s12887-021-02537-y

PMID

33588791

PMCID

PMC7883422

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

2-15-2021

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Keywords

Absorptiometry, Photon, Bone Density, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Exercise, Hispanic or Latino, Humans

Abstract

Background: Our aim was to investigate if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), calcium intake interacts with bone mineral density (BMD)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to influence BMD in 750 Hispanic children (4-19y) of the cross-sectional Viva La Familia Study.

Methods: Physical activity and dietary intake were measured by accelerometers and multiple-pass 24 h dietary recalls, respectively. Total body and lumbar spine BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was computed based on SNPs identified in published literature. Regression analysis was conducted with PRSs, MVPA and calcium intake with total body and lumbar spine BMD.

Results: We found evidence of statistically significant interaction effects between the PRS and MVPA on total body BMD and lumbar spine BMD (p < 0.05). Higher PRS was associated with a lower total body BMD (β = - 0.040 ± 0.009, p = 1.1 × 10- 5) and lumbar spine BMD (β = - 0.042 ± 0.013, p = 0.0016) in low MVPA group, as compared to high MVPA group (β = - 0.015 ± 0.006, p = 0.02; β = 0.008 ± 0.01, p = 0.4, respectively).

Discussion: The study indicated that calcium intake does not modify the relationship between genetic variants and BMD, while it implied physical activity interacts with genetic variants to affect BMD in Hispanic children. Due to limited sample size of our study, future research on gene by environment interaction on bone health and functional studies to provide biological insights are needed.

Conclusions: Bone health in Hispanic children with high genetic risk for low BMD is benefitted more by MVPA than children with low genetic risk. Our results may be useful to predict disease risk and tailor dietary and physical activity advice delivery to people, especially children.