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Health-related motivational and behavioral processes associated with DNA methylation of the TNF gene

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journal contribution
posted on 2019-08-02, 13:42 authored by Richard Steel, Bethan Hussey, Sarabjit MastanaSarabjit Mastana, Martin Lindley, Ian TaylorIan Taylor
Objective: Epigenetics has been described as one of the most exciting areas of contemporary biology, and research has begun to explore whether epigenetic modifications are influenced by psychological processes. The present research explored the associations of health-related motivation and behavior with the DNA methylation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene.
Methods: Participants (N =88) completed questionnaires examining engagement with health-related behavior (i.e., physical activity, diet and smoking) and health-related motivation from the perspective of self-determination theory. They also provided a capillary blood sample for DNA extraction and analysis of four CpG sites via bisulfite conversion within exon 1 of TNF.
Results: Health-related introjected regulation was not associated with TNF methylation (β =.13, p =.23). Health-related autonomous motivation was weakly but positively associated with TNF methylation (β =.18, p =.08). Indirect effects were identified in a subsequent step; autonomous motivation was positively associated with fruit consumption (β = .29, p = .004), negatively associated with smoking (β = -.22, p =.03) but not associated with physical activity (β = .10, p = .34). Moreover, TNF methylation was positively associated with lifetime physical activity (β = .18, p =.08) and negatively associated with smoking (β =-.23, p =.03). Direct effects of autonomous motivation on DNA methylation did not persist when these indirect effects were included (β =.09, p =.43).
Conclusions: Results support the idea that autonomous motivation for health is associated with DNA methylation, albeit indirectly through tobacco consumption.

History

School

  • Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Published in

Health Psychology

Volume

39

Issue

1

Pages

68–76

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Rights holder

© American Psychological Association

Publisher statement

© American Psychological Association, 2019. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. Please do not copy or cite without author's permission. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0000795.

Acceptance date

2019-07-16

Publication date

2019-09-19

Copyright date

2019

ISSN

0278-6133

eISSN

1930-7810

Language

  • en

Depositor

Dr Ian Taylor

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