Does genetic testing for obesity influence confidence in the ability to lose weight? A pilot investigation.

摘要

A study was conducted to investigate the psychological response to genetic testing for obesity - in particular the b3-adrenergic receptor gene (b3AR), a gene variant thought to influence weight gain and energy expenditure. 30 obese, white, postmenopausal women (mean age=57 years) in the greater Burlington area, Vermont, USA were recruited and were administered a questionnaire both before screening and after they were informed of their gene status [date not given]. The allelic frequency of those screened was 0.10. The questionnaire was administered to 18 subjects who were heterozygous-gene-positive (GENE +) and 12 who were homozygous-gene-negative. Groups did not differ in their attitudinal variables based on feedback about their genetic status. There were, however, time difference with both groups reporting increased confidence in their ability to lose weight after gene status was revealed. (GENE+:4.7?.5 vs. 6.9?.5, P < 0.001; GENE-:5.2?.5 vs. 7.9?.8, P < 0.001). After being informed of genestatus, GENE+ subjects were more likely to disagree with statement, "People with obesity in their genes can't lose weight no matter how hard they try" (3.3?.0 vs. 4.0?.8, P < 0.01) and less likely to agree with the statement, "For people with a strongfamily history of obesity, it may be harder to lose weight" (1.8?.9 vs. 2.2?.0, P < 0.01).