Obesity Medicine

Inherited obesity

Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing weight control has progressed thanks to modern genetic technology that precisely defines single nucleotide alterations. With regard to children with severe obesity, high throughput sequencing using whole exome, genome, and targeted sequencing in individual participants and cohorts has discovered previously unknown genetic abnormalities. In addition to offering insight into the pathophysiology of weight management, several of these aetiologies may be treatable in certain people. Additionally, research in model organisms have clarified epigenetic changes that can contribute to weight increase.

Genes can induce obesity in a variety of ways, generically categorized as:

The leptin-melanocortin pathway is the main location of monogenic causes, which are those brought on by a single gene mutation.

Obesity with additional characteristics, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and other organ/system anomalies, is referred to as syndromic obesity.

A significant number of genes collectively contribute to polygenic obesity, which is exacerbated by an environment that "promotes weight gain."