Interest in genetic test feedback for risk of obesity: Findings from the pgen study

Genetic testing for obesity risk is available as part of consumer-based personal genetic testing services, but little is known about determinants of interest in this information. The Impact of Personal Genomics (PGen) Study is investigating the impact of consumer genetic testing in collaboration with two genetic testing companies through surveys with their customers prior to receiving their genetic results, and 2-3 weeks and 6 months after results disclosure. This analysis focused on baseline data to determine demographic and personal correlates of interest in genetic testing for obesity risk. Mean age of the 1170 participants was 47 years (SD=15.6) and they were 60.2% female, 89.5% white, 48.1% college educated, 49.1% had a family history of obesity , 55.4% were overweight/obese themselves (BMI>25) and 16.8% believed their chances of developing obesity were high. 41.0% reported that they were “very interested” in learning about their genetic risk of obesity. Logistic regression analysis revealed that individuals “very interested” in genetic testing for obesity were significantly more likely to be younger (p = .003), female (p < .001), have a family history of obesity (p < .001), be overweight/obese (p < .001) and perceive themselves at higher genetic risk of obesity (p < .001). There were no significant associations with education or ethnicity. After adjusting for elements that would be expected to motivate predictive testing (family history and perceived risk), we demonstrate that persons already overweight/obese are still motivated to learn about their genetic risk for obesity, perhaps because of its perceived explanatory value.