Association between polygenic propensity for psychiatric disorders and nutrient intake

Despite the observed associations between psychiatric disorders and nutrient intake, genetic studies are limited. We examined whether polygenic scores for psychiatric disorders are associated with nutrient intake in UK Biobank (N = 163,619) using linear mixed models. We found polygenic scores for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia showed the highest number of associations, while a polygenic score for autism spectrum disorder showed no association. The relatively weaker obsessive-compulsive disorder polygenic score showed the greatest effect sizes suggesting its association with diet traits may become more apparent with larger genome-wide analyses. A higher alcohol dependence polygenic score was associated with higher alcohol intake and individuals with higher persistent thinness polygenic scores reported their food to weigh less, both independent of socioeconomic status. Our findings suggest that polygenic propensity for a psychiatric disorder is associated with dietary behaviour. Note, nutrient intake was self-reported and findings must therefore be interpreted mindfully. Hunjan et al. report that polygenic propensity for a psychiatric disorder is associated with nutrient intake on an average day. They found broad associations with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, and more restricted associations with other psychiatric disorders.