The role of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics in obesity management: challenges and prospects for general practitioners
General Medicine, 2025, 27(3), 37-47.
M. Nikolova1, A. Alakidi1, A. Karteva-Stoycheva1, I. Ivanova2, S. Harizanova3
1 Department of Epidemiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
2 Department “Kinesitherapy”, Faculty of Public Health “Prof. Dr. Tsekomir Vodenicharov, PhD”, MU ‒ Sofia
3 Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University – Plovdiv
Abstract. Obesity is becoming an increasingly serious health problem in Europe, with its prevalence rising rapidly in recent years. This is a result of the complex interaction between the genetic predisposition of the European population and the obesogenic environment, including unhealthy lifestyles, urbanization and economic growth. Genome-wide association studies have identified key genes, such as FTO and MC4R, which increase the risk of obesity, but their contribution is limited and highly dependent on the external environment. Nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics offer new opportunities for personalized treatment, including changes in the diet and physical activity, but standardized clinical recommendations for use of genetic testing in routine practice are still unavailable. General practitioners play a key role in the early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of obesity. This overview of the literature on this issue aims to provide general practitioners with a clear and evidence-based framework to build on the integration of current genetic findings into the everyday clinical practice, while encouraging future research in this rapidly developing field.
Key words: obesity, nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, single nucleotide polymorphisms, personalized treatment