Patterns of recent natural selection on genetic loci associated with sexually differentiated human body size and shape phenotypes

Levels of sex differences for human body size and shape phenotypes are hypothesized to have adaptively reduced following the agricultural transition as part of an evolutionary response to relatively more equal divisions of labor and new technology adoption. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by studying genetic variants associated with five sexually differentiated human phenotypes: height, body mass, hip circumference, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. We first analyzed genome-wide association (GWAS) results for UK Biobank individuals (~194,000 females and ~167,000 males) to identify a total of 114,199 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with at least one of the studied phenotypes in females, males, or both sexes (P<5x10-8). From these loci we then identified 3,016 SNPs (2.6%) with significant differences in the strength of association between the female- and male-specific GWAS results at a low false-discovery rate (FDR<0.001). Genes with known roles in sexual differentiation are significantly enriched for co-localization with one or more of these SNPs versus SNPs associated with the phenotypes generally but not with sex differences (2.73-fold enrichment; permutation test; P = 0.0041). We also confirmed that the identified variants are disproportionately associated with greater phenotype effect sizes in the sex with the stronger association value. We then used the singleton density score statistic, which quantifies recent (within the last ~3,000 years; post-agriculture adoption in Britain) changes in the frequencies of alleles underlying polygenic traits, to identify a signature of recent positive selection on alleles associated with greater body fat percentage in females (permutation test; P = 0.0038; FDR = 0.0380), directionally opposite to that predicted by the sex differences reduction hypothesis. Otherwise, we found no evidence of positive selection for sex difference-associated alleles for any other trait. Overall, our results challenge the longstanding hypothesis that sex differences adaptively decreased following subsistence transitions from hunting and gathering to agriculture.

Download Full-text

Patterns of recent natural selection on genetic loci associated with sexually differentiated human body size and shape phenotypes

10.1101/2020.06.17.155549 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Audrey M. Arner ◽

Kathleen E. Grogan ◽

Mark Grabowski ◽

Hugo Reyes-Centeno ◽

George H. Perry

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Body Size ◽

Body Fat ◽

Human Body ◽

Sex Differentiation ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Size And Shape ◽

Hunting And Gathering

AbstractLevels of sex differences for human body size and shape phenotypes are hypothesized to have adaptively reduced following the adoption of agriculture. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by first identifying thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that differentially impact trait variation between British females and males for five phenotypes: height, body mass, hip circumference, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. After confirming the biological plausibility of these SNPs, we then used a population genomic approach to study the recent (within the last 3,000 years; post-agriculture adoption in Britain) evolutionary histories of these loci. We observed significant increases in the frequencies of alleles associated with greater body fat percentage in females (P=0.0038; FDR=0.038), directionally opposite to that predicted by the sex differentiation reduction hypothesis. Otherwise, we found no evidence of positive selection for sex difference-associated alleles for any other trait. Overall, our results challenge the longstanding hypothesis that sex differences adaptively decreased following subsistence transitions from hunting and gathering to agriculture.

Download Full-text

P146 Human body fat percentage determination in Parkinson’s disease: A pilot MRI study

Basal Ganglia ◽

10.1016/j.baga.2011.01.066 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

A. Unrath ◽

H.-P. Müller ◽

F. Raudies ◽

H. Neumann ◽

A.C. Ludolph ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Body Fat ◽

Human Body ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Mri Study

Download Full-text

Clear ethnic and sex differences in body fat percentage

Nursing Standard ◽

10.7748/ns.22.13.17.s24 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 22 (13) ◽

pp. 17-17

Keyword(s):

Sex Differences ◽

Body Fat ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage

Download Full-text

0036 Inconsistent Bedtimes Associated with Unhealthier Body Size in Older Adults

SLEEP ◽

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. A14-A15

Author(s):

P Zendels ◽

J Gaultney

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽

Body Size ◽

Sleep Apnea ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Body Fat ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Obstructive Sleep

Abstract Introduction A variety of sleep related variables have been shown to impact measures of health, including duration of sleep, consistency of sleep, quality of sleep, and sleep disorders. These can impact respiratory health, metabolic health, immune function, and more. Older adults have been shown to have different sleep schedules, with mostly consistent weeknight and weekend bedtimes and more opportunities to nap. The study investigated which aspects of sleep best predicted body size (averaged standardized body mass index and percent body fat indices). Methods A sample of 304 older adults (55+) participated in surveys and health measures in an urban area in the southeastern United States. Survey data collected were reports of sleep during the last month, including duration at night, nap duration, measures of quality, typical weeknight and weekend bedtime, and reports of possible sleep disorders. Physiological measures, including height, weight, BMI, body fat percentage, blood sugars, blood fats, and fitness tests were conducted. Sleep data were weighted ((5*weeknight+2*weekend)/7) across the week. A hierarchical multiple regression model was run with a standardized average of BMI and body fat percentage with multiple sleep variables as a predictor, controlling for age and socioeconomic status. Results After controlling for age and socioeconomic status (SES), symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea, night sleep duration, nap duration, difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep midpoint, duration inconsistencies and midpoint inconsistences were added to the regression. SES and duration inconsistencies were significant predictors, explaining 16% of the variance in body size. Conclusion Inconsistent bedtimes may be associated with larger body size. Encouraging older adults to have consistent sleep schedules could help preserve health as they age. This may also reduce rates of disorders like obstructive sleep apnea, which are associated with higher BMI, and help promote better overall sleep quality and health. However, these older adults reported fairly consistent sleep midpoint, limiting interpretation of this variable. Support Psychological Sciences department funding

Download Full-text

Intake of ruminanttrans-fatty acids, assessed by diet history interview, and changes in measured body size, shape and composition

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980015001858 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 494-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Camilla P Hansen ◽

Berit L Heitmann ◽

Thorkild IA Sørensen ◽

Kim Overvad ◽

Marianne U Jakobsen

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Body Weight ◽

Body Size ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Body Fat ◽

Body Fat Percentage ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Hip Circumference ◽

Diet History

AbstractObjectiveStudies have suggested that total intake oftrans-fatty acids (TFA) is positively associated with changes in body weight and waist circumference, whereas intake of TFA from ruminant dairy and meat products (R-TFA) has not been associated with weight gain. However, these previous studies are limited by self-reported measures of body weight and waist circumference or by a cross-sectional design. The objective of the present study was to investigate if R-TFA intake was associated with subsequent changes in anthropometry (body weight, waist and hip circumference) measured by technicians and body composition (body fat percentage).DesignA 6-year follow-up study. Information on dietary intake was collected through diet history interviews, and anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance measurements were obtained by trained technicians at baseline (1987–1988) and at follow-up (1993–1994). Multiple regression with cubic spline modelling was used to analyse the data.SettingCopenhagen County, Denmark.SubjectsTwo hundred and sixty-seven men and women aged 35–65 years from the Danish MONICA (MONItoring of trends and determinants in CArdiovascular diseases) cohort.ResultsThe median R-TFA intake was 1·3 g/d (5th, 95th percentile: 0·4, 2·7 g/d) or 0·6 % of the total energy intake (5th, 95th percentile: 0·2, 1·1 %). No significant associations were observed between R-TFA intake and changes in body weight, waist and hip circumference or body fat percentage.ConclusionsR-TFA intake within the range present in the Danish population was not significantly associated with subsequent changes in body size, shape or composition and the 95 % confidence intervals indicate that any relevant associations are unlikely to have produced these observations.

Download Full-text