Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study

Abstract The association between plant-based diets, obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and genetic predisposition is still not fully understood. This study explored how plant-based diets interact with genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis and body fat in 377 Iranian women aged 18 to 48 who w...

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Main Authors: Mahya Mehri Hajmir, Atieh Mirzababaei, Faezeh Abaj, Yasaman Aali, Mahsa Samadi, Khadijeh Mirzaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09726-0
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author Mahya Mehri Hajmir
Atieh Mirzababaei
Faezeh Abaj
Yasaman Aali
Mahsa Samadi
Khadijeh Mirzaei
author_facet Mahya Mehri Hajmir
Atieh Mirzababaei
Faezeh Abaj
Yasaman Aali
Mahsa Samadi
Khadijeh Mirzaei
author_sort Mahya Mehri Hajmir
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The association between plant-based diets, obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and genetic predisposition is still not fully understood. This study explored how plant-based diets interact with genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis and body fat in 377 Iranian women aged 18 to 48 who were overweight or obese. Using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), we established three plant-based diet indices: the Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI), the Healthy Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI), and the Unhealthy Plant-Based Diet Index (uPDI). We calculated a Genetic Risk Score (GRS) based on three body mass index (BMI)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and analyzed its interaction with the PDI. Results showed that tertile 2 of the PDI had a significant negative interaction with moderate and high-risk alleles on key atherogenic factors, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), triglyceride glucose (TyG), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) (P < 0.05). A borderline negative interaction between tertile 2 of the hPDI and moderate risk alleles regarding the Body Shape Index (ABSI) was also observed (P = 0.05). Conversely, tertile 2 of the uPDI had a significant positive interaction with moderate risk alleles related to both the Castelli Risk Index I (CRI.I) and II (CRI.II) (P = 0.03). This study suggests that interactions between genetic susceptibility and plant-based diet indices are linked to atherogenic factors and body composition.
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spelling doaj-art-1f6692d8deaa4926bbaccb0d219cb5572025-08-20T03:05:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-09726-0Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional studyMahya Mehri Hajmir0Atieh Mirzababaei1Faezeh Abaj2Yasaman Aali3Mahsa Samadi4Khadijeh Mirzaei5Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, The George Washington UniversityChronic Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash UniversityDepartment of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Abstract The association between plant-based diets, obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and genetic predisposition is still not fully understood. This study explored how plant-based diets interact with genetic susceptibility to atherosclerosis and body fat in 377 Iranian women aged 18 to 48 who were overweight or obese. Using a validated 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), we established three plant-based diet indices: the Plant-Based Diet Index (PDI), the Healthy Plant-Based Diet Index (hPDI), and the Unhealthy Plant-Based Diet Index (uPDI). We calculated a Genetic Risk Score (GRS) based on three body mass index (BMI)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and analyzed its interaction with the PDI. Results showed that tertile 2 of the PDI had a significant negative interaction with moderate and high-risk alleles on key atherogenic factors, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), triglyceride glucose (TyG), lipid accumulation product (LAP), and visceral adiposity index (VAI) (P < 0.05). A borderline negative interaction between tertile 2 of the hPDI and moderate risk alleles regarding the Body Shape Index (ABSI) was also observed (P = 0.05). Conversely, tertile 2 of the uPDI had a significant positive interaction with moderate risk alleles related to both the Castelli Risk Index I (CRI.I) and II (CRI.II) (P = 0.03). This study suggests that interactions between genetic susceptibility and plant-based diet indices are linked to atherogenic factors and body composition.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09726-0A body shape indexBody roundness indexLipid accumulation productBody adiposity indicesAtherogenic index of plasmaPlant dietary index
spellingShingle Mahya Mehri Hajmir
Atieh Mirzababaei
Faezeh Abaj
Yasaman Aali
Mahsa Samadi
Khadijeh Mirzaei
Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
Scientific Reports
A body shape index
Body roundness index
Lipid accumulation product
Body adiposity indices
Atherogenic index of plasma
Plant dietary index
title Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_full Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_short Interaction of genetic risk score (GRS) and Plant-Based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity: a cross-sectional study
title_sort interaction of genetic risk score grs and plant based diet on atherogenic factors and body fat distribution indices among women with overweight and obesity a cross sectional study
topic A body shape index
Body roundness index
Lipid accumulation product
Body adiposity indices
Atherogenic index of plasma
Plant dietary index
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09726-0
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