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The European Commission has announced that a consortium has received 14.5 million euros to study how diet and genetic factors can combine to cause obesity. Consisting of individuals from 30 organisations across 15 European countries, the DiOGenes (diet, obesity and genes) Integrated Project will “…carry out the most comprehensive study yet of dietary components and the genetic and behavioural factors influencing weight gain.” The project will have different parts, beginning with an investigation of the role carbohydrates and high dietary protein play in making individuals feel satiated or ‘full.’ In parallel, research partners will conduct a dietary intervention study involving normal weight and obese families in eight European countries. Researchers will analyse the genetic variation in candidate genes in order to identify sets of DNA polymorphisms, adipose tissue mRNA's and plasma peptides that would help predict an individual’s response to nutrients involved in weight change. In addition, the psychological and behavioural factors of research participants that influence weight gain will be analysed. Food technology studies will aim to develop foods that consumers like but which also provide ‘enhanced satiety signals’ that would help limit intake.

The ultimate goal of the consortium is “…to develop a method of predicting an individual’s weight change in response to different dietary nutrients, which in turn should lead to personalised diet-based treatments.” A demonstration project will show how newly developed concepts related to dietary advice and individual risk analysis in weight management can be used in practice. As it is estimated that obesity and co-related morbidities account for five percent of the health budgets of European countries, interested parties such as policy makers, the food industry and consumer groups will no doubt eagerly await the results from this project.