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Influence of maternal educational level on the association between the rs3809508 neuromedin B gene polymorphism and the risk of obesity in the HELENA study

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 478–486 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Neuromedin B (NMB) is a bombesin-like peptide, which inhibits food intake and modulates stress-related behaviour. An NMB gene polymorphism (P73T) has been earlier associated with obesity and abnormal eating behaviour in adults.

Methods:

The association between four NMB polymorphisms and obesity-related phenotypes was investigated in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence cross-sectional study (n=1144, 12–17-year-old European adolescents). This population was genotyped for the NMB rs1107179, rs17598561, rs3809508 and rs1051168 (P73T) polymorphisms. Obesity was defined according to Cole et al. (BMJ 2000; 320:1240–1243) criteria; eating behaviour was assessed by the Eating Behaviour and Weight Problems Inventory for Children (EWI-C) and the food choices and preferences questionnaires. Familial socioeconomic status (SES) was assessed through the parents’ educational level.

Results:

Only the genotype distribution of rs3809508 differed according to obesity status, as the TT genotype was more frequent in obese than in non-obese adolescents (8.6% vs 3.1%, P=0.05; adjusted odds ratio for obesity (95% confidence interval): 2.85 (1.11–7.31), P=0.03). Moreover, TT subjects had higher body mass index (22.8±4.4 kg m–2 vs 21.3±3.7 kg m–2, P=0.02), waist circumference (75.8±9.7 cm vs 72.2±9.3 cm, P=0.006), waist-to-hip ratio (0.84±0.14 vs 0.79±0.07, P<0.0001) and waist-to-height ratio (0.47±0.06 vs 0.44±0.55, P=0.002) than C allele carriers. The effects of this single nucleotide polymorphism on all anthropometric values were influenced by the maternal SES, in that a low maternal educational level aggravated the phenotype of adolescents carrying the TT genotype (interactions: P<0.02). No association with EWI-C scores was found, although sweet craving was a more frequent cause of between-meal food intake in TT subjects than in C allele carriers (24.3% vs 9.2%, P=0.01).

Conclusion:

In European adolescents, the TT genotype of the NMB rs3809508 polymorphism was associated with a higher risk of obesity. Moreover, the effects of this polymorphism on anthropometric values were influenced by the maternal educational level.

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Acknowledgements

The HELENA study received funding from the European Union's Sixth RTD Framework Programme (Contract FOOD-CT-2005-007034) and was supported by a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Health: Maternal, Child Health and Development Network (number RD08/0072).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSERM, U744; Institut Pasteur de Lille; Université Nord de France; UDSL,

    M Pigeyre, S Bokor, P Amouyel, J Dallongeville & A Meirhaeghe

  2. Institut Pasteur de Lille, Lille, France

    M Pigeyre, S Bokor, P Amouyel, J Dallongeville & A Meirhaeghe

  3. EA 2694-Service de Nutrition, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France

    M Pigeyre & M Romon

  4. INSERM, U995, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France

    F Gottrand

  5. Campden BRI, Chipping Campden, UK

    C C Gilbert

  6. Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte- INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    J Valtueña

  7. Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Immunonutrition group, Institute Frio-ICTAN, Spanish Scientific Research Council, Madrid, Spain

    S Gómez-Martínez

  8. GENUD (Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development) Research Group, Escuela Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain

    L A Moreno

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Pigeyre, M., Bokor, S., Romon, M. et al. Influence of maternal educational level on the association between the rs3809508 neuromedin B gene polymorphism and the risk of obesity in the HELENA study. Int J Obes 34, 478–486 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.260

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