Gene-nutrient interactions and susceptibility to human obesity

Abstract

A large number of genome-wide association studies, transferability studies, and candidate gene studies performed in diverse populations around the world have identified gene variants that are associated with common human obesity. The mounting evidence suggests that these obesity gene variants interact with multiple environmental factors and increase susceptibility to this complex metabolic disease. The objective of this review article is to provide concise and updated information on energy balance, heritability of body weight, origins of gene variants, and gene-nutrient interactions in relation to human obesity. It is proposed that knowledge of these related topics will provide valuable insight for future preventative lifestyle intervention using targeted nutritional and medicinal therapies. Keywords: Energy balance, Gene-nutrient, Heritability, Metabolism, Obesity Funding This work was supported in part by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through grant number UL1 TR000041, a grant from Dedicated Health Research Funds of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, and private funding through the University of New Mexico Foundation for the investigation of genetic and metabolic diseases.