Obesity, Genes & Weight Loss Project
Diet, Fat, Genetics & Obesity
A European funded obesity study may soon develop new diagnostic methods
for obesity, according to scientists working on a three-year international
research project called Nugenob. The project has set out to explore the
relationship between diet, in particular fat intake, genetics and obesity.
Obesity, Genes & Weight Loss Project
- Aim
Today, 20-40 per cent of all Europeans are characterized by researchers
as being overweight. An additional 10-20 per cent are considered to be
obese. Obesity poses a serious health threat - increasing the risk of
conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, some cancers
and high blood pressure. The increase in the prevalence of obesity could
most likely be attributed to a combination of environmental and genetic
factors with up to 40 per cent of weight variations between different
people attributed to genetic differences.
The goal of Nugenob is to find and analyze
new genes whose role in the development and maintenance of obesity are
dependent on the diet. Specific objectives include the analysis of gene
activity in adipose (fat) tissue in relation to acute consumption of a
meal with a high fat content, as well as in relation to a diet either
of high or low fat content.
Obesity, Genes & Weight Loss Project
- Overweight People
The research also aims to clarify the influence of different 'versions'
of a particular gene on the physiological reactions in overweight people
to the intake of a high-fat meal, especially regarding energy conversion,
appetite and the level of various hormones and other substances in the
blood related to metabolism.
Obesity, Genes & Weight Loss Project
- Method
All participants (obese and normal weight) experience one day of clinical
examinations, which focuses on the physiological reactions to the intake
of a high-fat meal. The overweight test participants then go through a
10-week weight loss program. They are randomized to follow either a low-fat
diet, consisting of 20-25 per cent energy from fat, or a high-fat diet,
consisting of 40-50 per cent energy from fat.
Diet Type & Effective Weight Loss
The researchers are hoping that these investigations will improve the
understanding of the interaction between genetics and dietary fat content
in the development of obesity. This may lead to new diagnostic methods
for obesity, which should make it possible to determine which diet type
an individual should follow in order to achieve effective weight loss.
Source: Food Navigator.com
|
|
|
com