We measured the effect of nutritional intervention on clinical data, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), and their association with polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) which might affect adherence. Enrolled in the intervention program were 264 Japanese women not on medication for diabetes, hypercholesterolemia or hypertension. The 5-HTTLPR allele (S and L) frequencies among the subjects differed markedly from those of Caucasians: SS (n = 183), LS (n = 69), and LL (n=12). The decrease in FBG (Delta FBG) from the beginning to the end of the program (11 weeks; short-term study), and Delta FBG from the beginning to a follow-up check performed between 2002 and 2004 (average of 23 years later; long-term study) was calculated. The SS homozygotes of 5-HTTLPR showed larger Delta FBG (P = 0.01 and P < 0.0001 in the short- and long-term studies, respectively) than Delta FBG with other genotypes. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.