Genetic background, nutrition and obesity: a review

Abstract

Objective: To summarize the latest information on the relationship between genes and common forms of obesity, and to review genetic markers (SNPs and miRNA) that play a role in predisposing to common forms of obesity and related disorders.

Materials and methods: We searched PubMed with the following keywords: (obesity[Title/Abstract]) AND predisposition[Title/Abstract]) AND miRNA[Title/Abstract]) OR polymorphism[Title/Abstract].

Results: From the search we obtained a total of 44 gene loci and 48 miRNAs associated with common obesity.

Conclusions: It is now widely accepted that obesity involves interactions between environmental risk factors (physical inactivity, excessive calorie intake, chronic stress, taste perception) and a genetic background of risk. Analysis of the genetic background of obese subjects is therefore an important way to determine the molecular mechanisms controlling the link between food intake and obesity, enabling a better understanding of how these interactions may differ from person to person.