Over the past decades, the prevalence of obesity and type-2 diabetes has surged in the Pacific region, particularly in Polynesia. Scholars have suggested that this rise in metabolic disorders is driven by a combination of environmental factors—such as the adoption of a Western-style diet—and genetic factors. However, the precise risk factors driving this increase remain poorly understood, hindering effective strategies for disease prevention. Recent studies have highlighted the potential role of the gut microbiota in the onset of metabolic diseases, but its impact in populations undergoing rapid environmental changes has not been thoroughly explored.
As part of the EPIGEMI project, we aim to investigate the relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolic disorders in 800 French Polynesians, in collaboration with the Institut Louis Malardé, Pape’ete. We will sequence the fecal metagenomes of all participants and examine how microbial diversity, specific bacterial taxa, and functional profiles are linked to dysregulated metabolism, in relation to dietary patterns. Additionally, we will explore how host genetic factors influence intestinal microbial composition and contribute to disease susceptibility. This research will provide critical insights into how both environmental and genetic factors interact to drive the current epidemic of metabolic disorders in the Pacific region.
