Dietary and genetic influences on susceptibility or resistance to weight gain on a high fat diet.

This paper outlines the concepts and objectives behind the Fifth Framework Programme 'Diet and Obesity', scheduled to run from February 2001 to January 2004 with financial support from the European Commission. The objective is to identify the causes of weight gain on an energy-dense, high fat diet, and apply findings in the diagnosis, prevention and management of obesity. Molecular, physiological, behavioural and clinical approaches will be applied to the study of the mechanisms underlying diet preferences and susceptibility to weight gain, in both humans and laboratory rodents. This strategy is based on the observation that not all individuals habitually eating a high fat diet are obese; some have a similar body mass index (BMI) to low fat consumers despite the consumption of substantially more fat (and energy). The project will investigate why some individuals preferentially select a high fat diet, and how genetic background interacts with diet to confer susceptibility or resistance to obesity. Improved diagnosis of individuals at risk may allow treatment and preventive measures, including advice during pregnancy, to be more targeted. The effect of early life nutrition on dietary preferences, susceptibility to obesity, and the programming of brain signalling systems will be investigated in parallel clinical and rodent studies.