Thanks to some new and breaking study results, a common variant has been found in many patients suffering from Obesity. The common gene is linked to a higher risk of obesity and Insulin resistance. These two patient factors can be a precursor set of symptoms to Diabetes which is a major concern for many of the obese patient today.
The first study, of a two study group, gathered data from nearly 17,000 obese patients of European heritage.
The results of the study not only found a common gene variant in obese patients but also a possible common variant in association with the MC4R gene. The MC4R gene regulates energy in the body and these variants may possibly be linked to the overeating patterns found in obese patients. The variation in the MC4R gene may also be linked to the
Genetic obesity found in family members.
The findings from the first study were verified by another study of larger magnitude. The second group of patients from the first study involved more than 60,000 adult patients and nearly 6,000 child patients. This majority of these group of patient also showed a disruption with the MC4R gene. This variant may account for up to 30% of the reasons a child may become obese.
In an effort to repeat the results yet again, a second study was instituted, this time with over 14,000 patients of Asian and European descent. In this study, the actual number of variant were studied and the researchers found that for every MC4R gene variant, there was a 2 CM increase in waist circumference.
The researchers hope that these studies will provide a better understanding of the causative factors surrounding obesity in individuals and families.
