Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Obesity--is it a genetic disorder?

R J F Loos1, C Bouchard

  • 1Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA.

Journal of Internal Medicine
|October 11, 2003
PubMed
Summary

Genetic factors significantly contribute to obesity, a major global health issue. Research identifies specific genes and chromosomal locations linked to body weight regulation, paving the way for new anti-obesity treatments and risk prediction tests.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

A polymorphism of the 5'-flanking region of the glucocorticoid receptor gene locus is associated with basal cortisol secretion in men.

Metabolism: clinical and experimental·2000
Same author

7-year stability of blood pressure in the Canadian population.

Preventive medicine·2000
Same author

Hypertension in obesity and the leptin receptor gene locus.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2000
Same author

Polymorphisms of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) in relation to cardiovascular risk factors in men.

Journal of internal medicine·2000
Same author

Relationship between lipid peroxidation and plasma fibrinogen in middle-aged men.

Thrombosis research·2000
Same author

A genetic study of sex hormone--binding globulin measured before and after a 20-week endurance exercise training program: the HERITAGE Family Study.

Metabolism: clinical and experimental·2000

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Metabolism
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Obesity is a significant health challenge in industrialized nations.
  • Genetic factors are known to influence obesity development.
  • Understanding body weight regulation pathways is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the genetic basis of obesity.
  • To identify genes and chromosomal regions associated with obesity predisposition.
  • To explore the potential for genetic testing and therapeutic development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of twin, adoption, and family studies.
  • Investigation of rare mutations in humans and model organisms.
  • Examination of candidate genes involved in energy expenditure and food intake.
  • Review of genome-wide scan results.

Main Results:

  • Genetic factors play a substantial role in obesity pathogenesis.
  • Key genes involved in energy balance and specific chromosomal regions (e.g., 2p, 3q, 5p) are linked to obesity risk.
  • Four levels of genetic determination for obesity have been proposed: genetic obesity, strong predisposition, slight predisposition, and genetic resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Genetic predisposition is a critical factor in obesity.
  • Identifying specific genes and chromosomal locations offers insights into obesity mechanisms.
  • This research supports the development of novel anti-obesity therapies and genetic risk prediction tools.

Related Experiment Videos