What role do genes play in terms of fat cells and obesity?

The influence of genes on overweight and obesity is debatable

More and more people in the world are too fat. Most of the excess weight is due to a lifestyle with little physical activity and high energy food. Scientific research has shown that some people also develop obesity and obesity because of their genes. However, according to a new study, the influence of genetic factors on nutrition is debatable.

Every second German is too big

Overweight and obesity have become a global health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 39% of adults in Europe are overweight. In Germany, more than 50 percent of adults are overweight, about one-fifth is obese according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). This is mainly due to the modern lifestyle, which is characterized by low physical activity and a diet too energetic.

Genetic factors for the development of obesity

However, genetic factors also play a role in the development of obesity

For example, an international research team has found a crucial gene for the development of obesity. The development of obesity and Japanese scientists have reported that they have discovered a gene for burning fat.

To date, a hundred genes have been identified that are related to body mbad index (BMI). However, the functions of the genes as well as the underlying biological mechanisms are largely unknown.

The significance of genetic diets is not proven

Nevertheless, individual dietary recommendations based on genetic badysis are currently in vogue.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now systematically badyzed articles and concludes:

There is no clear evidence of the influence of genetic factors on calorie consumption , carbohydrates and fat. The utility of genetic diets is not proven in the current state of knowledge.

The current state of knowledge is limited

The TUM team's first research revealed more than 10,000 scientific papers that could be considered for the subject. Of these, 39 articles revolved around the relationship between genetic factors and total energy, carbohydrates or fats.

"In all studies, we are most often on the gene for fat and obesity. Received gene (MC4R) encountered. There are indications that these two genes are related to total energy intake, "says Dr. Christina Holzapfel of the Institute of Nutritional Medicine of the TUM in a communication

However, the l & # 39; Evaluation of the study did not provide a consistent picture: "We can only make a small difference between the FTO gene and the low energy intake and the MC4R gene. "

Up to now, there is no evidence that certain genetic factors are related to the total intake of calories, carbohydrates and fats.

The current level of knowledge is still too limited to provide individual nutritional recommendations for weight management based on genetic information infer, explains the scientist.The latter is also joined by the specialized societies concerned.

The results of the study have recently published in Advances in Nutrition. (Ad)