Health Promotion Research: Research Areas

Behavior Genetics

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. micronutrient 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

Public Health Genomics (PHG)
A multidisciplinary field concerned with the effective and responsible translation of genome based knowledge and technologies to improve population health (Bellagio Statement, 2006). For more information on Public Health Genomics and the 2008-2009 NIH Seminar Series: Advances in Public Health Genomics http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/od/phg/index.html

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).

Fuemmeler BF et al. Genes implicated in serotonergic and dopaminergic functioning predict BMI categories. Obesity; 1998.

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.

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