Genetic susceptibility, family history of diabetes and healthy lifestyle factors in relation to diabetes: A gene–environment interaction analysis in Chinese adults

Aims/Introduction To analyze the associations and interactions of the genetic susceptibility and family history of diabetes with lifestyle factors in relation to diabetes among Chinese adults. Materials and Methods We constructed a genetic risk score of 34 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in 11,596 participants from Songnan and Youyi communities, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China. We determined a healthy lifestyle by a normal body mass index (1 year prior, sufficient physical activity (≥600 metabolic equivalent minutes per week), and a sleep duration of ≥6 to ≤8 h/day. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations and interactions between heritability and lifestyle on diabetes. Results A healthier lifestyle was associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes within any heritable risk groups categorized by the genetic risk score and family history of diabetes. In the combined communities, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for diabetes associated with each additional healthy lifestyle factor was 0.83 (0.77–0.89) among participants with a low genetic risk score and 0.86 (0.81–0.91) among participants with a high genetic risk score (P interaction = 0.66). Similar interaction patterns of family history (P interaction = 0.15) and the combination of family history and the genetic risk score with healthy lifestyle (P interaction = 0.55) on diabetes were observed. Conclusions A healthier lifestyle was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes regardless of heritable risk groups, highlighting the importance of adhering to a healthy lifestyle for diabetes prevention among the entire population.
In this study of 11,596 middle‐aged and elderly Chinese adults, a healthier lifestyle was associated with a substantially lower prevalence of diabetes regardless of heritable risk categories determined by the genetic risk score and family history of diabetes, highlighting the importance of adhering to a healthy lifestyle for diabetes prevention among the entire population.