Investigating the Roles of Nutritional Determinants, Genetic Predispositions, and Environmental Risk Factors in the development of Obesity and Associated Metabolic Disorders

Obesity and associated metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers, poses significant challenges to global health. The development of obesity is influenced by a complex interplay of nutritional determinants, genetic predispositions, and environmental risk factors. Nutrition plays a pivotal role, with high caloric intake, particularly from processed foods rich in sugars, fats, and refined carbohydrates, contributing significantly to excessive weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. Additionally, poor dietary habits disrupt the regulation of appetite, fat storage, and energy expenditure, further promoting obesity.

Genetic predispositions are also critical, as certain genetic variants can affect an individual's susceptibility to obesity and metabolic diseases by influencing appetite regulation, fat storage, and insulin sensitivity. However, genetics alone does not determine the onset of these conditions. Environmental factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, urbanization, and increased food availability, exacerbate the risk of obesity, leading to metabolic disturbances. The combination of these factors results in insulin resistance, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and altered adiposity, which are central to the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. Understanding these determinants is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

This Research Topic aims to investigate the complex interactions between nutritional determinants, genetic predispositions, and environmental risk factors in the development of obesity and related metabolic diseases. By focusing on metabolic pathways, this research topic seeks to deepen our understanding of how these factors influence the onset and progression of metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The goal is to uncover critical metabolic markers and mechanisms that link dietary habits, genetic factors, and environmental influences to the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. Ultimately, this research topic intends to provide insights into effective prevention and therapeutic strategies to mitigate the global burden of these conditions.

This Research Topic welcomes a variety of article types, including original research, reviews, meta-analyses, and short communications. Authors are encouraged to address the following specific themes related to the development of obesity and associated metabolic diseases:

● Nutritional determinants and their impact on metabolic pathways, including macronutrients, micronutrients, and dietary bioactive compounds.

● Genetic predispositions contributing to metabolic diseases, including gene-environment interactions and epigenetic modifications.

● Environmental risk factors such as urbanization, sedentary lifestyle, and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and their influence on metabolic dysfunction.

● Mechanisms linking obesity to metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, inflammation, and dyslipidemia.

● Potential biomarkers and metabolic signatures associated with obesity and metabolic disorders.

● Novel therapeutic strategies targeting metabolic pathways to prevent or treat obesity-related metabolic diseases.

The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between nutrition, genetics, and the environment in the context of metabolic health.

Keywords: Metabolic Diseases, Obesity, Nutrition, Risk Factors, Body Composition, Genetics

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.