Influences of genetic factors for educational attainment and cognitive functions on current dietary consumption.

Abstract

Dietary habits are critical for the prevention and management of physical and mental disorders and may also be influenced by genetic factors for educational attainment (EA) and cognitions. This study examined the effects of polygenic scores (PGSs) associated with EA and cognitions on current dietary consumption among older patients with lifestyle-related diseases. Dietary habits were assessed across eight categories in 730 older adult outpatients diagnosed with or suspected of having lifestyle-related diseases. Six PGSs associated with EA and cognitions were calculated using large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) datasets, and their correlations with dietary consumption patterns were investigated. Higher PGSs associated with EA and cognitions were commonly correlated with increased consumption of fruits. Moreover, we found positive genetic correlations between fruit consumption with EA and cognitive functions in an independent cohort. Our findings suggest that genetic factors related to educational and cognitive phenotypes may shape dietary habits that promote physical and mental health and longevity.