Genomics, nutrition, obesity, and diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To present evidence of genetic and environmental interactions as they relate to nutrition, diabetes, and obesity.


METHODS
A review of seminal literature related to genetics, obesity, and diabetes.


RESULTS
Multifactorial interactions are important in the development of nutrition-related disorders, but the challenge remains to explain how these interactions are expressed. Treating subpopulations of people might be important and useful to some extent at present, but in the future treating people of given genetic predispositions and other personal and environmental factors will have greater effects on quality-of-life indicators and life expectancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Individualization coupled with multifactorial interactions will lead to new and more effective preventive and treatment modalities of nutrition-related disorders. With obesity and diabetes, genomics will bridge the traditional use of diet, exercise, and weight reduction with other environmental factors, ultimately leading to healthier lives.
Johnson
Rolanda L
RL
School of Nursing, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine and Center for Human Genetics Research, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37240, USA. rolanda.johnson@vanderbilt.edu
Williams
Scott M
SM
Spruill
Ida J
IJ
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004777:Environment; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005820:Genetic Testing; D023281:Genomics; D005838:Genotype; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008019:Life Style; D024802:Nurse's Role; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology