Multi-omics approaches for precision obesity management

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift, vol. 135, pp. 113–124

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that cannot be addressed by simply promoting better diets and more physical activity. To date, not a single country has successfully been able to curb the accumulating burden of obesity. One explanation for the lack of progress is that lifestyle intervention programs are traditionally implemented without a comprehensive evaluation of an individual's diagnostic biomarkers. Evidence from genome-wide association studies highlight the importance of genetic and epigenetic factors in the development of obesity and how they in turn affect the transcriptome, metabolites, microbiomes, and proteomes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the different types of omics data: genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and illustrate how a multi-omics approach can be fundamental for the implementation of precision obesity management. RESULTS: The different types of omics designs are grouped into two categories, the genotype approach and the phenotype approach. When applied to obesity prevention and management, each omics type could potentially help to detect specific biomarkers in people with risk profiles and guide healthcare professionals and decision makers in developing individualized treatment plans according to the needs of the individual before the onset of obesity. CONCLUSION: Integrating multi-omics approaches will enable a paradigm shift from the one size fits all approach towards precision obesity management, i.e. (1) precision prevention of the onset of obesity, (2) precision medicine and tailored treatment of obesity, and (3) precision risk reduction and prevention of secondary diseases related to obesity.

Authors 4

1. Selam Woldemariam

   Karl Landsteiner Society

   Affiliation as printed

   Karl Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, 3062, Kirchstetten, Austria

2. Thomas Ernst Dorner

   Karl Landsteiner Society · Akademie für Altersforschung am Haus der Barmherzigkeit

   Affiliation as printed

   Academy for Ageing Research, House of Mercy, 1160, Vienna, Austria

   Karl Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, 3062, Kirchstetten, Austria

3. Thomas Wiesinger

   Karl Landsteiner Society

   Affiliation as printed

   Karl Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, 3062, Kirchstetten, Austria

4. Katharina Viktoria Stein corresponding Aachen Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG)

   Leiden University · Leiden University Medical Center · Karl Landsteiner Society

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2511 DP, The Hague, The Netherlands. k.v.stein@lumc.nl

   Karl Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, 3062, Kirchstetten, Austria. k.v.stein@lumc.nl

   Karl Landsteiner Institute for Health Promotion Research, 3062, Kirchstetten, Austria