This initiative aims to understand the complex interplay of genes and environment (behavioral or lifestyle factors) as one approach to understanding the etiology of obesity. Specific behaviors of interest include nutrition (e.g. macronutrient intake, eating behaviors) and physical activity (e.g. individual response to exercise). In the context of the etiology of obesity, an environmental challenge includes those behaviors or lifestyle factors that have a bearing on energy intake or energy expenditure. Understanding gene-environment relationships is important to developing more efficacious intervention and prevention programs to decrease obesity rates in the US.

Contact:
Tanya Agurs-Collins, PhD, RD
collinsta@mail.nih.gov

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Projects

Gene-Environment Interplay in Common Complex Diseases: Forging an Integrative Model Workshop
In January 2010, members of HBRB participated in the Gene-Environment Interplay in Common Complex Diseases: Forging an Integrative Model Workshop to discuss and conceptualize a truly trans–disciplinary model of gene–environment research that fully integrates the "genetics" and "environment" sides of the gene–environment equation. The workshop featured presentations to showcase the state–of–the–science and focused discussions to articulate future needs and directions in research and training on gene-environment interplay related to health.

Reports and Publications

Journal Supplement: Gene-Nutrition and Gene-Physical Activity Interactions in the Etiology of Obesity Workshop (Volume 16, Supplement 3s Dec 2008). http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v16/n3s/index.html .

Agurs-Collins T, Fuemmeler B. DAT and DRD2 polymorphisms and depressive symptoms predict intake of sweet and salty foods in a nationally representative sample of young adults. Poster presented at the American Society of Human Genetics, November 2008 (pdf).

Bookman EB, McAllister K, Gillanders E, Wanke K, Balshaw D, Rutter J, Reedy J, Shaughnessy D, Agurs-Collins T, Paltoo D, Atienza A, et al.; for the NIH G × E Interplay Workshop participants. Gene-environment interplay in common complex diseases: forging an integrative model-recommendations from an NIH workshop . Genet Epidemiol. 2011; 35: 217–225.

Fuemmeler BF, Agurs-Collins T et al. Genes implicated in serotonergic and dopaminergic functioning predict BMI categories . Obesity. 2008; 16: 348-355.

Fuemmeler BF, Agurs-Collins T, McClernon FJ, Kollins SH, Garrett ME, Ashley-Koch AE. Interactions between genotype and depressive symptoms on obesity . Behav Genet. 2009; 39(3):296-305.

Implications of Genomics for Public Health. Workshop Summary , Institute of Medicine 2005.

Genes, Behavior, and the Social Environment: Moving Beyond the Nature/Nurture Debate , Institute of Medicine 2006.

Nutrigenomics and Beyond: Informing the Future Workshop Summary , Institute of Medicine 2007.