Obesity has reached a pandemic scale worldwide, mainly caused by changes in lifestyles that include the regular consumption of high-calorie food and a critical reduction of physical activity. It is currently considered a serious threat to human health because of its close association with multiple comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer.
There is now a growing body of evidence that suggests that epigenetic mechanisms may underlie the development of metabolic disorders associated to obesity. Among the factors involved in epigenetic modifications, the role of nutrients and their metabolites on DNA methylation and accessibility have gathered increasing attention because methyl group donors and related molecules that contribute to DNA methylation are derived from food. In particular, specific dietary behavior leads to changes in epigenetic patterns and regulates gene expression via epigenetic modifications and these changes may affect obesity-related metabolic disorders.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a broad overview on the topic of "Dietary Factors, Epigenetics and their Implications for Human Obesity”. To this end, we would like to welcome submissions in the form of reviews and/ or original research presenting cutting-edge scientific advances on the potential impact of nutrients on the epigenome in the context of obesity and its related comorbidities, including novel data in relevant animal models and humans.
Obesity has reached a pandemic scale worldwide, mainly caused by changes in lifestyles that include the regular consumption of high-calorie food and a critical reduction of physical activity. It is currently considered a serious threat to human health because of its close association with multiple comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), hypertension, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer.
There is now a growing body of evidence that suggests that epigenetic mechanisms may underlie the development of metabolic disorders associated to obesity. Among the factors involved in epigenetic modifications, the role of nutrients and their metabolites on DNA methylation and accessibility have gathered increasing attention because methyl group donors and related molecules that contribute to DNA methylation are derived from food. In particular, specific dietary behavior leads to changes in epigenetic patterns and regulates gene expression via epigenetic modifications and these changes may affect obesity-related metabolic disorders.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide a broad overview on the topic of "Dietary Factors, Epigenetics and their Implications for Human Obesity”. To this end, we would like to welcome submissions in the form of reviews and/ or original research presenting cutting-edge scientific advances on the potential impact of nutrients on the epigenome in the context of obesity and its related comorbidities, including novel data in relevant animal models and humans.