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Pediatrics

Genetic taste blindness to bitter and body composition in childhood: a Mendelian randomization design

International Journal of Obesity volume 38, pages 1005–1010 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

The ability to taste 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) may be associated with body composition, but previous findings from observational studies are conflicting and cannot be interpreted causally. The aim of this study was to estimate the causal association between PROP taster status and body composition in a population-based cohort study.

Methods:

The study was embedded in a population-based prospective birth cohort study. The TAS2R38 genotype (rs713598) was used as an instrumental variable (IV) to obtain unbiased effect estimates of the relation between PROP taster status and body weight (n=3778). Adiposity measures included body mass index (BMI) and fat mass measured by dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry scan at the child’s age of 6 years. Associations were investigated using both ordinary linear regression (OLS) and two-stage least squares regression (2SLS).

Results:

Non-taster girls had higher BMI standard deviation scores (SDS) and higher body fat as compared with taster girls (results from linear regression BMI SDS: –0.09, P=0.023, body fat mass (%): −0.49, P=0.028). The TAS2R38 genotype predicted PROP phenotype (F=240), indicating a strong IV. The 2SLS effect estimates were imprecise but similar to the observational estimates (−0.08 for BMI SDS and −0.46 for body fat mass %) and were not significantly different from the OLS results (Hausman test: P>0.10). For boys there were no differences observed between tasters and non-tasters.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest a causal relation between PROP taster status and body weight among 6-year-old girls; Mendelian randomization was consistent with conventional estimates. In contrast, body weight among boys appeared to be independent of the PROP taster status. Further research should focus on possible underlying pathways, such as dietary behavior.

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Abbreviations

PROP:

6-n-propylthiouracil

MR:

Mendelian randomization

2 SLS:

two-stage least squares

OLS:

ordinary linear regression

SEP:

socioeconomic position

SDS:

standard deviation score

DXA:

dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry

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Acknowledgements

The Generation R Study is conducted by the Erasmus Medical Centre in close collaboration with the Erasmus University Rotterdam, School of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences, the Municipal Health Service Rotterdam area, Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Homecare Foundation, Rotterdam, and the Stichting Trombosedienst and Artsenlaboratorium Rijnmond (STAR), Rotterdam. We acknowledge the contribution of general practitioners, hospitals, midwives, and pharmacies in Rotterdam. The first phase of the Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from: Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    S H Bouthoorn, J C Kiefte-de Jong, H R Taal, A I Wijtzes, A Hofman & V W V Jaddoe

  2. Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    S H Bouthoorn, F J van Lenthe, A I Wijtzes & H Raat

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    J C Kiefte-de Jong, H R Taal & V W V Jaddoe

  4. Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    H R Taal, A Hofman & V W V Jaddoe

  5. Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA

    M M Glymour

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    F Rivadeneira

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  1. S H Bouthoorn
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Correspondence to S H Bouthoorn.

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Bouthoorn, S., van Lenthe, F., Kiefte-de Jong, J. et al. Genetic taste blindness to bitter and body composition in childhood: a Mendelian randomization design. Int J Obes 38, 1005–1010 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.141

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