FTO genotype, dietary protein intake, and body weight in a multiethnic population of young adults: a cross-sectional study

David C. Merritt, Joseph Jamnik, Ahmed El-Sohemy

Variation in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) has been associated with susceptibility to obesity, but the association appears to be modified by diet. We investigated whether dietary protein intake modifies the association betweenFTOvariant rs1558902 and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in young adults (n = 1491) from the cross-sectional Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study. Lifestyle, genetic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were collected and diet was assessed using a Toronto-modified Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire. General linear models stratified by ethnicity and adjusted for age, sex, and total energy intake were used to examine the association between FTO genotypes and measures of body weight, and whether protein intake modified any of the associations. East Asians who were homozygous for the rs1558902 risk allele (A) had a greater BMI (p = 0.004) and waist circumference (p = 0.03) than T allele carriers. This association was not observed in individuals of Caucasian or South Asian ancestry. Among East Asians, a significant FTO-protein interaction was observed for BMI (p = 0.01) and waist circumference (p = 0.007). Those with low protein intake (≤ 18% total energy intake) who were homozygous for the rs1558902 risk allele (A) had significantly higher BMI (p <  0.0001) and waist circumference (p = 0.0006) compared to carriers of the T allele. These associations were absent in the high protein intake group (> 18% total energy intake). Compared to Caucasians and South Asians, East Asians consumed a significantly higher ratio of animal-to-plant protein (p <  0.05). These findings suggest that high dietary protein intake may protect against the effects of risk variants in theFTOgene on BMI and waist circumference.