The beta(3)-adrenergic receptor gene (BAR-3) allelic variant (Trp64Arg and Arg64Arg) is correlated with obesity or non-insulindependent diabetes mellitus. The mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 gene (ND2) variant (Mt5178A) is associated with longevity or less susceptibility to adult-onset diseases. The frequencies of both the variants are high among the Japanese population. Cross-sectional analysis of these variants was conducted to determine if they correlated well with life-style-related phenotypes and nutrient intake. The body fat rate in the BAR-3 variant + ND2 variant group was higher than those rates in the BAR-3 normal + AID2 variant, BAR-3 normal + ND2 normal. The BAR-3 normal + ND2 variant group preferred much carbohydrate and less animal protein compared with other three groups. A combination of SNPs of the nuclear BAR-3 and the mitochondrial ND2 genes may affect eating behavior besides the biochemical and metabolic process of signal transduction and electron transfer system. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.