Introduction.

Obesity is a complex condition influenced by interactions between environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors. Several genes are involved in appetite regulation, such as ghrelin (GHRL) and leptin (LEP). Variants in these genes have been linked to metabolic effects and appetite through eating behaviors via the Behavioral Susceptibility Theory (BST). Purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the association of genetic variants at GHRL (rs27647 and rs696217) and LEP genes (rs7799039), with body composition parameters and explore possible associations with appetitive traits in young adults from western Mexico.

Methods.

Blood samples were obtained, and parameters of body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance. Amplification and genotyping of rs27647, rs696217 and rs7799039 were performed with PCR-RFLP technique (using BsrI, DraI and BhaI enzymes, respectively) and visualized with polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis technique. Appetitive traits were assessed via the Adult Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, which comprises ‘food approach’ subscales: Food Responsiveness (FR), Enjoyment of Food (EF) and Emotional Over-eating (EOE) and ‘food avoidance’ subscales: Satiety Responsiveness (SR), Emotional under-eating (EUE), Food Fussiness (FF) and Slowness in Eating (SE).

Results.

Two hundred and fifty-five adults were included in the study; median age was 20 years old. 75% were females. 38% of the subjects were overweight/ obese. We found a significant association of rs696217 variant with the apetitive traits: EF, FR and SR; these scores were higher in GG carriers in comparison to GT/TT carriers. For rs7799039 variant, we found an association with EUE and FF traits; the percentage of subjects with high-scores in these traits was higher in GG carriers in comparison to GA/ AA carriers. No association was found between the body composition parameters and the studied genetic variants in GHRL and LEP.

Conclusion.

These results show an association between genetic variants in GHRL and LEP with appetitive traits in young Mexican adults, suggesting an influence in eating behaviors that may indirectly impact on the risk of obesity.