title: The lactase -13910C>T polymorphism (rs4988235) is associated with overweight/obesity and obesity-related variables in a population sample of Portuguese young adults.
abstract: Several studies reported associations of the lactase gene (LCT) polymorphism -13910C>T (rs4988235) with obesity-related variables and obesity in adults. This study aimed to replicate previously reported associations in a population sample of Portuguese young adults.
  
  
  
  We genotyped 447 subjects from central and northern regions of Portugal (mean age 20.81±4.24 years) for the lactase variant -13910C>T (rs4988235), using TaqMan probes. Anthropometric variables (weight, height and body fat) were measured using standardized procedures and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) was calculated.
  
  
  
  Frequency of genotypes was 35.8% CC (lactase nonpersistent, LNP), 48.1% CT and 16.1% TT, consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P=1). The frequency for the minor -13910 T allele was 0.402. Assuming a dominance model for the lactase persistence (LP) minor T-allele, linear regression models showed statistically significant associations between the LP genotype CT/TT and BMI, fat mass and weight (β=1.114, P=0.003; β=1.309, P=0.007 and β=2.67, P=0.021, respectively) after adjustment for age and sex. In concordance, logistic regression showed significant association between LP genotype CT/TT and overweight/obesity (OR=1.77; CI 1.08-2.92; P=0.023), as well as with high fat percentage ranges (OR=1.58; CI 1.01-2.46; P=0.041), when adjusting for age and sex. No significant interaction was obtained between the LCT polymorphism and physical activity for BMI (Pint=0.454) or FAT % (Pint=0.421).
  
  
  
  In the Portuguese sample of young adults, the lactase -13910C>T polymorphism revealed significant associations with the obesity-related anthropometric variables BMI, fat mass and weight, and previously observed associations with the obesity risk were also confirmed.
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.|Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Manco
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Dias
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Muc
authors: Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.|Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Padez
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000483:Alleles; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D043322:Lactase / Q000235:genetics*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics*; D050177:Overweight / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011174:Portugal; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D043322:Lactase