Genetic and epigenetic background of childhood obesity

Capitalizing on our unique populational and childhood obesity cohorts covering the entire paediatric age range and with longitudinal follow ups, we will define the (epi)genetic predisposition for childhood obesity with particular progressively deteriorating phenotypes. We prove functional mechanisms of new molecular candidates involved in human adipose tissue dysfunction as a cause for early-onset obesity and associated insulin resistance in children. Based on the dissection of phenotype heterogeneity we develop composite risk scores of genetic and non-genetic factors contributing to risk. This will be leveraged to identify targetable protective factors.