Aiding information dissemination on obesity
A total of 771 obese and 119 lean Europeans from 8 cities took part in the study, which included habitual diet and life-style information as well as genetic and biochemical analyses. The entire body of data obtained throughout the NUGENOB project has been included in a single databank, the NUGENOB database. The database includes background information and data on clinical investigations from all subjects taking part in the study. These investigations comprised assessment of fasting energy levels, substrate metabolism, as well as levels of relevant hormones, metabolites and substrates. Obese subjects took part in a 10-week intervention programme consisting of a hypocaloric data. Food intake was monitored throughout that period and the data were also added to the NUGENOB database. Furthermore, genotype profiles of all individuals in relation to specific genetic variations of interest have been included in the data set. All the genetic data together with the results obtained from the serum and plasma samples analyses have been organized into a specific section of the database, termed the NUGENOB biobank. The biobank includes specific measurements from samples taken throughout the 10-week hypocaloric diet and genetic information from obese and lean participants. It should be added that the study followed a particular set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering every aspect of the study. It is likely that these SOPs will find relevance in studies of similar breadth and scope in the future. Overall, the NUGENOB database constitutes one of the first European attempts at mapping the links between nutritional behaviour and genetic makeup at a time when obesity is posing a serious health risk among EU populations. The obtained results are expected to significantly aid further research in this field and will provide the template for the development of effective ways through which to combat obesity.
