Interactions of genetic and macronutrient intake with abdominal obesity among middle-aged vegetarians in Malaysia

Background and Objectives: Evidence for gene-diet interactions is lacking among individuals with specific die-tary practices including vegetarians. This study aimed to determine the interactions of rs174547 in the fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1) gene with macronutrient such as carbohydrate (particularly fibre), protein and fat intakes on abdominal obesity among middle-aged Malaysian vegetarians of Chinese and Indian ethnicity. Methods and Study Design: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 163 vegetarians in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, Malaysia. Dietary intakes of vegetarians were assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire. Waist circumference of vegetarians was measured by using a Lufkin tape W606PM. Genotypes of the rs174547 of vegetarians were determined by using Agena (R) MassARRAY. A multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the interactions of the rs174547 with macronutrient on abdominal obesity. Results: About 1 in 2 vege-tarians (51.5%) had abdominal obesity. Individuals with CT and TT genotype at T3 intake of carbohydrates, pro-tein, fat and fibre as well as individuals with TT genotype at T2 intake of carbohydrates and protein had higher odds of abdominal obesity (pinteration <0.05). The gene-diet interaction remained significant for fibre intake (OR: 4.71, 95% CI: 1.25-17.74, pinteraction=0.022) among vegetarians with TT genotype at T2 intake of fibre after ad-justing for age and sex and considering the effects of ethnicity and food groups. Conclusions: The rs174547 sig-nificantly interacted with fibre intake on abdominal obesity. A specific dietary fibre recommendation based on genetics is needed among Chinese and Indian middle-aged vegetarians.