Translating developmental genetic findings into obesity-related clinical practice: Are we there yet?

摘要

FOR MOST INDIVIDUALS, REACHING OVER-weight or obesity status is the result of a process that is cumulative and progressive. Cross-sectional measurements of obesity-related traits are one-time indicators of an individual's historical trajectory of fat accumulation and, based on general scientific consensus, respond to continuous environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors. These factors individually and collectively act and interact in complex ways to lead to the progression of fat accumulation. A challenge confronted by the research community is the identification of statistically powerful samples and/or experimental designs to uncover the biological and nonbiological factors that affect changes in body composition parameters across the life span.