Additive Contributions of Polygenic Risk Scores and Interpersonal Stressors to Adolescent Body Mass Index

Genetics contributes to elevated body mass index (BMI) in youth. Adolescents experiencing interpersonal stressors (eg, peer victimization or parental criticism) may additionally be at a heightened risk for developing high BMI. However, few studies have examined the additive contributions of genetic factors and interpersonal stressors to BMI. The current study aimed to address this gap by analyzing associations of BMI with polygenic risk scores (PRS) for BMI and an inflammatory C-reactive protein (CRP), and a range of interpersonal stressors, in a community-based adolescent sample.

In all, 827 adolescents ( Mage =13.63, SD=1.01, 76% girls of European ancestry) completed self-report measures of peer victimization and parental criticism at baseline. BMI was assessed on average 2 years after baseline. PRS were calculated using summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association studies of BMI and CRP. Analyses consisted of linear regressions, adjusting for population stratification and demographic characteristics.

BMI-PRS and CRP-PRS were independently and significantly associated with BMI (β = 0.20 and β = 0.10, p < 0.05, respectively). In addition, greater father criticism at baseline was independently associated with higher phenotypic BMI at follow-up (β = 0.12, p < 0.05). Peer victimization and maternal criticism were not associated with BMI.

Genetic vulnerabilities to high BMI and inflammation, as well as father criticism, were significantly and uniquely associated with BMI in adolescents. The results are consistent with models of additive contributions of genetics and interpersonal stress to health outcomes.