Genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization analyses support causal relationships between dietary habits and age at menarche

Abstract

Dietary habits are essential in the mean age at menarche (AAM). However, the causal relationship between these factors remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the genetic relationship between dietary habits and AAM. Genetic summary statistics for dietary habits were obtained from the UK Biobank. GWAS summary data for AAM was obtained from the ReproGen Consortium. Linkage disequilibrium score regression was used to test genetic correlations between dietary habits and AAM. The Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses used the inverse-variance weighted method. Genetic correlations with AAM were identified for 29 candi-date dietary habits, such as milk type (skimmed, semi-skimmed, full cream; coefficient = 0.2704, Pldsc = 1.13 × 10−14). MR evaluations revealed that 19 dietary habits were associated with AAM, including bread type (white vs. any other; OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.28–2.29, Pmr = 3.20 × 10−4), tablespoons of cooked vegetables (OR 0.437, 95% CI 0.29–0.67; Pmr = 1.30 × 10−4), and cups of coffee per day (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.57–0.92, Pmr = 8.31 × 10−3). These results were observed to be stable under the sensitivity analysis. Our study provides potential insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying AAM and evidence that dietary habits are associated with AAM.