Revealing the genetic roots of obesity and type 2 diabetes

PhD ceremony: Ms. J.V. van Vliet-Ostaptchouk, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Revealing the genetic roots of obesity and type 2 diabetes

Promotor(s): prof. M.H. Hofker, prof. C. Wijmenga

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Over the past two decades, we have observed an alarming escalation of the global prevalence of obesity that is mirrored by the rapidly rising incidence of type 2 diabetes. The high co-occurrence rate of these diseases is associated with serious health problems and mortality.

To date, most experts agree on that the recent upsurge in obesity is the result of a complex interplay between multiple genetic, behavioural and environmental factors, however the relative contribution of these causal factors remains unclear.The central aim of this thesis was to gain insight into the genetic susceptibility to both obesity and type 2 diabetes and to further our understanding of the genetic architecture of these complex diseases.