Perceived Picky Eating Behaviors in Preschoolers is influenced by Polymorphisms in Chemosensory Genes

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Picky eating behavior may have both biological and environmental determinants. We tested the hypothesis that variation in genes that affect taste perception would influence picky eating behavior and body mass index (BMI) by exploring associations with nine genetic variants in six chemosensory-related genes (TAS2R19, TAS2R38, CA6, TAS1R1, TAS1R2, and TAS2R1). Cross-sectional analysis was conducted on data from 144 non-Hispanic white preschoolers (2-5 years) and their parents enrolled in the STRONG Kids program. Participants responded to survey questions about their children's eating habits, including picky eating. Height and weight were measured and saliva was collected for genotyping. Generalized linear models were used to examine differences in picky eating behaviors and BMI z-scores associated with selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Only two polymorphisms on the CA6 gene were associated with picky eating behavior. Both SNPs were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and the minor allele frequency was 12.5% and 9.0%, respectively. CA6-rs2274327 T-homozygosity was associated with parental perception of picky eating, (χ2=3.99, p<0.05), while CA6-rs2274333 G-homozygosity was associated with children's preference for specific food-preparation methods, (χ2=4.74, p<0.05). Children's BMI z-scores were not correlated with picky eating behaviors or genotypes. These results are the first to show that variations in the CA6 gene influences picky eating behavior. Additional work is needed to confirm whether variations in chemosensory-related genes are associated with differences in children's taste preferences or long-term weight-gain trajectories. Funded by NIFA 2011-67001-30101