Grant: Environments, Genes and Chronic Disease - LOI

The incidence of obesity is not only rising among the general population, but also among children and pregnant women. How the environment and genetic factors influence the risk for obesity and diseases associated with obesity is incomplete. Recent findings suggest that events that occur in infancy can influence the risk for disease later in life. We study clinical populations of pregnant mothers and their children in order to determine how early life environmental exposures (e.g.- maternal diets, high blood sugars etc.) affect the genes of the children to influence their risk for obesity. We will also determine whether altering the early life environment (e.g.- through breastfeeding etc.) modifies disease risk factors in children most susceptible for obesity. The identification of new early life biomarkers of disease could prevent the extensive health and financial burden of obesity.