Associations of TAS1R2 and TAS2R38 Genetic Variants with Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Obesity Risk in Kuwaiti Adolescents

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15715604
AuthorsRawayeh Yousef (Kuwait University), Razan Yousef (0009-0005-4725-9305, Kuwait University), Dalal U Z Alkazemi (0000-0001-9349-2144, Kuwait University, corresponding author), Mohamed Abu‐Farha (0000-0001-8357-1252, Dasman Diabetes Institute), Jehad Abubaker (0000-0003-0681-7305, Dasman Diabetes Institute), Sriraman Devarajan (0000-0001-6401-133X, Dasman Diabetes Institute), Abdur Rahman (0000-0002-2688-927X, Kuwait University), Fahd Al‐Mulla (0000-0001-5409-3829, Dasman Diabetes Institute)
Year2025
Volume12
Issue9
Pages1192-1192
Publication date2025-09-08
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children12091192
PMID41007057
OpenAlexW4414068815
LanguageEN
References cited36

Background/Objectives : Obesity is increasing worldwide, driven by unhealthy dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. Genetic variations in taste receptor genes, particularly TAS1R2 and TAS2R38 , may influence taste preferences, dietary intake, and obesity risk. This study examined associations between TAS1R2 and TAS2R38 polymorphisms, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake, and obesity risk in Kuwaiti adolescents. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 adolescents aged 11-14 years recruited from public schools in Kuwait. Genotyping of five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using TaqMan assays. Associations between SNPs, SSB intake, and obesity parameters were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression and non-parametric tests, adjusted for age, sex, nationality, BMI z-scores, basal metabolic rate, and physical activity. p -values were corrected using the Benjamini-Hochberg method. Results : The rs713598 SNP in TAS2R38 showed a marginal association with BMI percentiles and z-scores. Adolescents carrying the CC genotype of rs10246939 SNP in TAS2R38 had significantly lower odds of high SSB consumption (>3 servings/week) compared with T-allele carriers ( p = 0.018, OR= 0.24, 95% CI = 0.08-0.79). No significant associations were detected for TAS1R2 SNPs. Conclusions : Variations in TAS2R38 were linked to obesity measures and beverage intake in Kuwaiti adolescents, supporting a potential genetic contribution to dietary behaviors. These findings highlight the importance of taste receptor genetics in obesity research, though replication in larger and more diverse populations is required

Body mass index · Genotype · Logistic regression · Multinomial logistic regression · Obesity · Odds · Odds ratio · Overweight · SNP · Diet, Metabolism, and Disease · Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

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