Heterogeneity in Obesity: Genetic Basis and Metabolic Consequences
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Jonathan Sulc; Iris M. Heid; Thomas W. Winkler; Zoltán Kutalik
- Source
- Current diabetes reports. 20(1)
- Subject
- 0301 basic medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Public health interventions
030209 endocrinology & metabolism
Genome-wide association study
Computational biology
Body Mass Index
03 medical and health sciences
Genetic Heterogeneity
0302 clinical medicine
Sex Factors
Mendelian randomization
Internal Medicine
Medicine
Body Fat Distribution
Humans
Obesity
Metabolic disease
Health implications
Adiposity
business.industry
medicine.disease
030104 developmental biology
Phenotype
Trait
Body Composition
Identification (biology)
Waist Circumference
business
- Language
- ISSN
- 1539-0829
Our review provides a brief summary of the most recent advances towards the identification of the genetic basis of specific aspects of obesity and the quantification of their consequences on health. We also highlight the most promising avenues to be explored in the future. While obesity has been demonstrated to lead to adverse cardio-metabolic consequences, the determinants of inter-individual variability remain largely unknown. The elucidation of the molecular underpinnings of this relationship is hampered by the extremely heterogeneous nature of obesity as a human trait. Recent technological advances have facilitated a more in-depth characterization of body composition at large-scale. At the pace of current data acquisition and resolution, it is realistic to improve characterization of obesity and to advise individuals based on detailed body composition combined with tissue-specific molecular signatures. Individualized predictions of health implications would enable more personalized and effective public health interventions.