Final Report Summary - DIOGENES (Diet, obesity and genes)
The DIOGENES project sought new insights and routes to prevent the obesity problem from a dietary perspective. The primary focus was to investigate dietary macronutrient components that would facilitate the prevention of weight gain and re-gain and also to study specifically the role of the glycaemic index (GI) of carbohydrate and of a high dietary protein content which enhances satiety. The interactions between the dietary components and the genetic and behavioural factors would also be examined.
The main research and technological development (RTD) lines of the project were the following:
- RTD line 1: obesity and macronutrient composition of the diet
To examine critically the mechanistic impact of changes in macronutrient composition on weight control, a large long-term randomised, parallel dietary intervention study was undertaken in families suffering from obesity or overweight. The overweight-obese parents followed an eight-week weight loss intervention using a low calorie formula diet (LCD).
- RTD line 2: obesity and gene-nutrient interaction
This research line focused on gene-nutrient interaction associated with changes in body weight and metabolism in order to guide a diet-based control of weight. One of the main goals was to highlight factors (genes, transcripts or proteins) with either changing levels regarding the nutrient content of the diet or able to predict the ability of one's individual to lose weight under energy restriction, or to maintain the reduced weight.
- RTD line 3: obesity, genes diet at the population level. With access to large long-term prospective cohorts across Europe with clinical and nutritional data, DIOGENES had a unique opportunity to identify the role of key dietary factors and of gene-nutrient interactions associated with changes in body weight and waist circumference.
- RTD line 4: obesity, consumer attitudes and behaviour
The main objective of RTD 4 was to assess the lifestyle and psycho-social aspects of food intake in order to identify key psychological/behavioural predictors of weight gain for use in diagnosing risk of weight gain and for better matching diets to consumer needs.
- RTD line 5: obesity and food technology
The aim was to develop foods which the consumers would like and prefer, but which would at the same time limit the intake through enhanced satiety signals. This would require a combination of skills and disciplines seldom found in industry and science.
- RTD line 6: central data hub facility
By the start of the project a centralised data hub was established to ensure that all data generated in relation to the project were optimally integrated, stored, secured, and documented. The data hub developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, documentation, cleaning and transfer.
- RTD line 7: dissemination, innovation, demonstration and training
The generic objective was to communicate knowledge from the DIOGENES consortium and programme, advance the body of scientific knowledge, and spread use of DIOGENES specialist expertises and techniques inside and outside the consortium.
The work packages (WPs) Innovation, Dissemination and Training, working closely with RTD lines 1-6 in a horizontal way, facilitated delivery of these end-points for the benefit of the whole project.
The main research and technological development (RTD) lines of the project were the following:
- RTD line 1: obesity and macronutrient composition of the diet
To examine critically the mechanistic impact of changes in macronutrient composition on weight control, a large long-term randomised, parallel dietary intervention study was undertaken in families suffering from obesity or overweight. The overweight-obese parents followed an eight-week weight loss intervention using a low calorie formula diet (LCD).
- RTD line 2: obesity and gene-nutrient interaction
This research line focused on gene-nutrient interaction associated with changes in body weight and metabolism in order to guide a diet-based control of weight. One of the main goals was to highlight factors (genes, transcripts or proteins) with either changing levels regarding the nutrient content of the diet or able to predict the ability of one's individual to lose weight under energy restriction, or to maintain the reduced weight.
- RTD line 3: obesity, genes diet at the population level. With access to large long-term prospective cohorts across Europe with clinical and nutritional data, DIOGENES had a unique opportunity to identify the role of key dietary factors and of gene-nutrient interactions associated with changes in body weight and waist circumference.
- RTD line 4: obesity, consumer attitudes and behaviour
The main objective of RTD 4 was to assess the lifestyle and psycho-social aspects of food intake in order to identify key psychological/behavioural predictors of weight gain for use in diagnosing risk of weight gain and for better matching diets to consumer needs.
- RTD line 5: obesity and food technology
The aim was to develop foods which the consumers would like and prefer, but which would at the same time limit the intake through enhanced satiety signals. This would require a combination of skills and disciplines seldom found in industry and science.
- RTD line 6: central data hub facility
By the start of the project a centralised data hub was established to ensure that all data generated in relation to the project were optimally integrated, stored, secured, and documented. The data hub developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, documentation, cleaning and transfer.
- RTD line 7: dissemination, innovation, demonstration and training
The generic objective was to communicate knowledge from the DIOGENES consortium and programme, advance the body of scientific knowledge, and spread use of DIOGENES specialist expertises and techniques inside and outside the consortium.
The work packages (WPs) Innovation, Dissemination and Training, working closely with RTD lines 1-6 in a horizontal way, facilitated delivery of these end-points for the benefit of the whole project.
