Genetics of Obesity

The genetic basis of predispositon to obesity has been recognised for a long time. Several single gene-defects in rodents and humans cause the development of obesity. However these are extremely rare and an increase in genetic defects is insufficient to explain the substantial increase in the prevalance of obesity over the past two decades. There is a continuing search for obesity genes. Although single gene mutations in humans are not a major cause of the current obesity epidemic, they support the importance of these genes in the regulation of energy balance.