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Regional variation in health is predominantly driven by lifestyle rather than genetics

Author

Listed:
  • Carmen Amador

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Charley Xia

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Réka Nagy

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Archie Campbell

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Edinburgh)

  • David Porteous

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Edinburgh)

  • Blair H. Smith

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Dundee)

  • Nick Hastie

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Veronique Vitart

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Caroline Hayward

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Pau Navarro

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Chris S. Haley

    (University of Edinburgh
    University of Edinburgh)

Abstract

Regional differences in health-related phenotypes have been detected between and within countries. In Scotland, regions differ for a variety of health-related traits and display differences in mean lifespan of up to 7.5 years. Both genetics and lifestyle differences are potential causes of this variation. Using data on obesity-related traits of ~11,000 Scottish individuals with genome-wide genetic information and records of lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, we explored causes of regional variation by using models that incorporate genetic and environmental information jointly. We found that variation between individuals within regions showed substantial influence of both genetic variation and family environment. Regional variation for most obesity traits was associated with lifestyle and socioeconomic variables, such as smoking, diet and deprivation which are potentially modifiable. There was limited evidence that regional differences were of genetic origin. This has important implications for healthcare policies, suggesting that inequalities can be tackled with appropriate social and economic interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Amador & Charley Xia & Réka Nagy & Archie Campbell & David Porteous & Blair H. Smith & Nick Hastie & Veronique Vitart & Caroline Hayward & Pau Navarro & Chris S. Haley, 2017. "Regional variation in health is predominantly driven by lifestyle rather than genetics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-00497-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00497-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Daly, Michael & Obschonka, Martin & Stuetzer, Michael & Sutin, Angelina & Shaw-Taylor, Leigh & Satchell, Max & Robinson, Eric, 2019. "Neuroticism Mediates the Relationship Between Industrial History and Modern-Day Regional Obesity Levels," MPRA Paper 106505, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 23 Jul 2020.

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