# Assessment of Eating Behavior and Genetic Risk Factors for Metabolic Syndrome

## TL;DR

This study examined eating behaviors and genetic factors in Central Asian adults with and without metabolic syndrome but found no significant associations.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into eating behaviors and genetic variants in Central Asian populations related to metabolic syndrome.

## Key findings

- Adults with metabolic syndrome had higher blood pressure, BMI, and other metabolic indicators compared to those without.
- No differences in eating behavior scores were found between metabolic syndrome and non-metabolic syndrome groups.
- ADIPOQ and MC4R genetic variants were not associated with metabolic syndrome status or eating behaviors.

## Abstract

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is influenced by behavioral and genetic factors, yet evidence on eating behavior patterns and related genetic polymorphisms in Central Asian populations remains limited. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess eating behaviors among adults with and without MetS and evaluate their associations with clinical indicators and ADIPOQ rs266729 and MC4R rs17782313 variants. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 adults (115 non-MetS, 85 MetS) was conducted using Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), standardized clinical measurements, and PCR-RFLP genotyping. Results: Participants with MetS were older than non-MetS adults (52 vs. 47 years; p = 0.004) and had substantially higher systolic blood pressure (126 vs. 114 mmHg; p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (83 vs. 74 mmHg; p < 0.001), and BMI (32.2 vs. 25.9 kg/m2; p < 0.001). Waist circumference, hip circumference, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL were also significantly higher, while HDL was lower (1.13 ± 0.40 vs. 1.58 ± 1.50 mmol/L; p = 0.008). DEBQ restrained, emotional, and external eating scores showed no differences between groups (all p > 0.05). Eating behavior distribution was similar (p = 0.291). ADIPOQ genotypes (CC/CG/GG) did not differ by MetS status (p = 0.227), nor did MC4R variants (p = 0.679). Among MetS participants, clinical indicators did not vary across eating behavior categories, and no associations were observed between eating behavior and either polymorphism. Conclusions: Despite clear clinical and metabolic differences between MetS and non-MetS groups, neither eating behavior patterns nor ADIPOQ and MC4R variants were associated with metabolic measures among MetS group.