Physical activity, but not dietary intake, attenuates the effect of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism on obesity and metabolic syndrome in Lithuanian adult population.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the associations between the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene rs9939609 variant with obesity and metabolic syndrome and interactions between FTO alleles, dietary intake and physical activity in Lithuanian adult population. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: A health survey was carried out in randomly selected municipalities of Lithuania. The random sample was obtained from the lists of 25-64 year-old inhabitants. The data from 1020 individuals were analyzed. The single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs9939609, in the FTO gene was assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. 24-hour recall was used for evaluation of dietary habits. Information on physical activity at work, traveling to and from work and at leisure time was gathered by a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: The carriers of the AA genotype had the highest mean values of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). They had 1.72 time higher odds of obesity (P = 0.009) and 1.67 time higher odds of increased WC (P = 0.013) than those with the TT genotype. Carriers of the T allele had lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to carriers of the AA genotype (33.8% and 42.5% respectively; P = 0.018). No interaction between the rs9939609 variant and energy or dietary intakes on weight status was found. Significant effect of the interactions 'genotype×age' and 'genotype×physical activity' on BMI was demonstrated. The FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was associated with anthropometric parameters and metabolic syndrome in the younger age group (25-44 years) and in individuals having low level of physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Age and physical activity modulated the effect of the FTO polymorphism on weight status and metabolic syndrome in Lithuanian adult population.

The prevalence and trends of overweight and obesity among Lithuanian adults, 1994-2012.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess trends in body mass index (BMI) and in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Lithuanian adults between 1994 and 2012. STUDY DESIGN: The data were obtained from ten biennial cross-sectional surveys of Lithuanian Health Behaviour Monitoring. For every survey, a nationally representative random sample aged 20-64 was drawn from the National Population Register. Response rates ranged from 51% to 74%. In total, 7968 men and 10,695 women reported their weight and height. METHODS: All surveys used the same methodology and questionnaires, which were sent by mail. Self-reported weight and height were used to calculate body mass index (BMI). Overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2) and obesity--as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2). RESULTS: The most prominent increase in mean BMI was observed in the oldest age group (55-64 years) of men. A decrease in mean BMI occurred in the youngest age groups (20-34 and 35-44 years) of women. The proportion of overweight men increased from 47.0% to 62.5%, and the proportion of obese men--from 10.6% to 19.0%. In women, the prevalence of obesity was similar in the first and in the last survey (19.0% and 20.5% respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Over the study period, the difference in the prevalence of overweight and obesity increased between the age groups, because of age-related trends. Our data emphasize the need for a national strategy for obesity prevention and control targeting the whole population, particularly men and older women.

Validity and reproducibility of the NORBAGREEN food frequency questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the validity and reproducibility of the NORBAGREEN food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). SUBJECTS/METHODS: In Finland, 125 subjects aged 25-64 years sampled from the five main regions of the FINDIET 2002 Study and in Lithuania, 99 citizens of Kaunas aged 19-75 years participated in the study. Reference methods for the FFQ were two 3-day FFQs in Finland and four 24-h recalls in Lithuania. The FFQ was repeated after 6-8 months in both countries. The outcome of the FFQ1 was correlated with the outcome of the reference methods and with the outcome of repeated FFQ2. Cross-classification of food intakes by FFQ1 and the reference methods was examined in tertiles. RESULTS: Validity correlations (FFQ vs the reference method, Spearman's correlation) were for vegetables, fruit and bread 0.50 (P<0.01), 0.53 (P<0.01) and 0.54 (P<0.01) in Finland; and 0.55 (P<0.01), 0.31 (P<0.01) and 0.51 (P<0.01) in Lithuania, respectively. Correlations were smaller for potatoes and fish. The overall proportion categorized in the same or adjacent intake tertiles with the two instruments was over 83% in both countries. Reproducibility correlations varied between 0.51 and 0.75 in the Finnish study, and between 0.51 and 0.83 in the Lithuanian study. CONCLUSIONS: The NORBAGREEN FFQ can be used to rank subjects according to vegetable, fruit and bread consumption. Questions on fish and potato consumption need to be developed further.