Nutritional Genetics and Energy Metabolism in Human Obesity

Obesity in the United States and other countries throughout the world represents a major health problem. The heritability of obesity susceptibility genes and interaction with components in the “obesogenic environment” promote positive energy balance responsible for weight gain. The molecular basis for gene-environment interactions remains undefined but evidence suggests that obesity susceptibility genes represent or influence the function of transcription factors regulated by various dietary macronutrients. The objective of this review article is to provide an update on i) the identification of obesity susceptibility genes, ii) the interaction of obesity susceptibility genes with dietary macronutrients, and iii) the metabolic pathways that have a central role in regulating energy balance. It is anticipated that increased knowledge of obesity susceptibility genes and interaction with dietary macronutrients that regulate metabolic pathways will result in more effective individual, family, and community-based preventative lifestyle intervention, in addition to targeted nutritional and medicinal therapies.