Researchers in Baton Rouge were part of a major discovery last week concerning genetics and obesity.
Scientists at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center have helped to identify 97 new genetic factors that contribute to obesity and 49 genetic markers that determine where fat is stored in the body. With more than 125 studies conducted around the world — involving about 300,000 participants in all — it was the biggest study of the genetics of obesity that has ever been conducted.
Now, with a targeted list of less than 100 genes to pay attention to, doctors and nutritionists can more easily tell which genes are the drivers for obesity, and make personalized treatment plans based on individual genetics.
Dr. Mark Sarzynski is one of the researchers from Pennington who contributed to the findings. He says the implications for Louisiana are huge.
“Louisiana is one of the fattest states. I think we're ranked number 49,” Sarzynski says. “If we could help treat obesity, this would lower our number and obviously this would save days lost at work and productivity…which overall would impact the bottom line in Louisiana, and save us a lot of money.”
According to data released by Pennington, obesity and related diseases like hypertension and diabetes cost Louisiana $10.6 billion each year.