1. Obesity, Nutrition and Nutri-genonmics
Course lecturer :
Jasmin Šutković
11th December 2015

2. Objectives
Be familiar with the evidence for genetic influences on obesity
Be able to define nutrigenomics
Understand current limitations of nutrigenomic testing

3. Outline Background Genetics of Obesity Animals Humans
Environmental effects
Nutrigenomics
Why the interest?
Current products and examples
Why the concern?
Moving from promise to practice
5. Summary and Conclusions

4. Public Health Importance
Mortality
Increased risk of premature death
Morbidity
Diabetes, Heart disease, Hypertension, some Cancers, Breathing Problems, Ischemic Stroke, Arthritis, and Reproductive Complications
Prevalence
59 million (30%) Americans are obese (BMI>= 30)
Rates are increasing faster than ever (epidemic proportions)

5. Risk Factors for Obesity
Diet: high calorie and low nutrient dense foods
Physical Inactivity
Age
Socioeconomic status
Certain medical conditions and medications
Race
Smoking cessation
Family History
Genetic susceptibility

6. Evidence for Genetic Influences on Obesity

7. Evidence for genetic influences: Humans
Familial aggregation
- familial clustering of obesity in families
Twin Studies
- greater concordance among MZ twins compared to DZ twins
Family Studies
- variety of “statistical models” consistent with genetic influences

8. The Search for Obesity Susceptibility Genes
“I found one! I found one!”
Kenneth M. Weiss & Joseph D. Terwilliger
nature genetics • volume 26 • October 2000

9. Candidate Genes and Single Gene Disorders: Chromosomal Location
Image adapted from:
Loos, R. J. and C. Bouchard (2003). J Intern Med 254(5):

10. Genetics of Human Obesity
Common form(s) of obesity are likely due to complex interactions between genes and environment
- body fat pattern
- appetite regulation
- other pathways
Rare monogenic forms do not account for majority of cases

11. Nutrigenomics Integrates genomics and nutrition
Goal: Improving health and preventing disease through tailored diet and lifestyle prescriptions

12. Nutrigenomics: Magic, Myths and Maybe’s

13. Nutrigenomics vs.Nutrigenetics
“Nutrigenomics refers to the application of genomics in nutrition research, enabling associations to be made between specific nutrients and genetic factors, e.g. the way in which food or food ingredients influence gene expression…
Nutrigenomics should facilitate greater understanding of how nutrition affects metabolic pathways and how this process goes awry in diet-related diseases.” Chadwick R. (2004) Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 63:
Nutrigenetics
“Nutrigenetics is the study of individual differences at the genetic level influencing response to diet. These individual differences may be at the level of single nucleotide polymorphisms rather than at the gene level…It is envisaged that nutrigenetics may lead to individualized dietary advice.” Chadwick R. (2004) Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 63:

14. Nutrigenomics & Nutrigenetics: Two Sides of a Coin

15. Nutritional Genomics
The study of how different foods can interact with particular genes to increase the risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease and some cancers
Goal: Use of personalized diets to prevent or delay the onset of disease and optimize and maintain human health

16. Nutritional Genomics
van Ommen B. (2004) Nutrition 20:4-8.

17. Why the interest? Improve health of populations Globally
Improve athletic performance
Weight loss
Potential economic impact
Functional food and dietary supplements is currently a $40 billion industry
The focus on nutrigenomics could mean an $80 billion dollar industry in 7-10 years

18. What is the evidence? Single Gene Disorders Lactose intolerance
Complex conditions
Genes involved in susceptibility to complex diseases have been identified
Nutritional environment modifies the expression of genes
Metabolism of nutrients may vary by genotype, ultimately affecting health
Singel gene disorders, good evidence for effective nutrition intervention based on genotype
Complex conditions – although the evidence is increasing, evidence is less clear cut, -- efficacy has not been established and there will be challenges to doing this
gene x e is difficult
Large samples
replicaiton

19. What is the public health implication?
Can we use this information along with our increasing knowledge of the genetics of obesity for public health applications?
Obesity epidemic
Singel gene disorders, good evidence for effective nutrition intervention based on genotype
Complex conditions – although the evidence is increasing, evidence is less clear cut, -- efficacy has not been established and there will be challenges to doing this
gene x e is difficult
Large samples
replicaiton

20. Heart Health
“Analyzes thirteen of your genes that may play an important role in determining how your body manages overall heart health”
“…assesses nine key diet and lifestyle action areas”

21. Bone Health
“Analyzes four of your genes that may play an important role in determining how your body manages overall bone health
“..assesses seven key diet and lifestyle action areas”

22. Insulin Resistance
“Analyzes five of your genes that may play an important role in determining how your body manages overall insulin resistance”
“..assesses five key diet and lifestyle action areas”

23. Genetic Assessment for Antioxidant and Detoxification
“Analyzes six of your genes that may play an important role in determining how your body manages overall antioxidant/ detoxification health”
“..assesses four key diet and lifestyle action areas”

24. Inflammation Health
“Analyzes six of your genes that may play an important role in determining how your body manages inflammation”
“..assesses four key diet and lifestyle action areas”