Grant: Operating Grant

According to a recent report form the World Health Organization (WHO), the prevalence of obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in both developed, and less developed countries around the world. Obesity places a substantial burden on the health of Canadians. The increased morbidity related to obesity may be largely accounted for by the presence of several risk factors that define the metabolic syndrome. However, a significant proportion of obese individuals remains healthy, while the risk profile of other obese subjects may vary from mild to severe. Our knowledge of the factors determining the severity of the metabolic syndrome or the conversion from a healthy state to cardiovascular diseases or diabetes remains largely incomplete, but there is strong evidence of the involvement of hereditary/molecular factors. Given its dramatic impact in our society, there is an urgent need to identify these molecular factors. Our goal is to gain further understanding of the genetic and epigenetic events that contribute to the metabolic syndrome in obese individuals. The knowledge of molecular factors involved has considerable public health implications.