Genetic susceptibility, family history of diabetes and healthy lifestyle factors in relation to diabetes: A gene–environment interaction analysis in Chinese adults

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: To analyze the associations and interactions of the genetic susceptibility and family history of diabetes with lifestyle factors in relation to diabetes among Chinese adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We constructed a genetic risk score of 34 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in 11,596 participants from Songnan and Youyi communities, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China. We determined a healthy lifestyle by a normal body mass index (<24 kg/m(2)), adequate fruit and vegetable intake (≥4.5 cups/day), never smoked or quit smoking >1 year prior, sufficient physical activity (≥600 metabolic equivalent minutes per week), and a sleep duration of ≥6 to ≤8 h/day. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations and interactions between heritability and lifestyle on diabetes. RESULTS: A healthier lifestyle was associated with a lower prevalence of diabetes within any heritable risk groups categorized by the genetic risk score and family history of diabetes. In the combined communities, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for diabetes associated with each additional healthy lifestyle factor was 0.83 (0.77–0.89) among participants with a low genetic risk score and 0.86 (0.81–0.91) among participants with a high genetic risk score (P (interaction) = 0.66). Similar interaction patterns of family history (P (interaction) = 0.15) and the combination of family history and the genetic risk score with healthy lifestyle (P (interaction) = 0.55) on diabetes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A healthier lifestyle was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of diabetes regardless of heritable risk groups, highlighting the importance of adhering to a healthy lifestyle for diabetes prevention among the entire population.