Genetic Mutation Possibly Linked to Obesity

A recent study found that genetic mutation may be the reason for obesity.

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital conducted genetic surveys of different groups of obese people and experiments on mice.

The study found that an alteration of the gene Mrap2 in mice led to obesity and they had to be underfed to bring down their weight. But these mice gained weight even if they consumed same amount of food as other mice and it increased further if they ate high-fat food.

"These mice aren't burning the fat, they're somehow holding onto it," Joseph Majzoub, study author and the chief of endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital, said in a news release.

The study published in the journal said that an analysis of 500 people showed that four people with similar genetic mutation, Mrap2, suffered from severe obesity.  And just one had mutation that disabled the gene. This shows that around one percent of obese people are because of genetic mutation.

As per the National Institutes of Health guidelines, obesity is calculated using body mass index, which is measured by height and weight. A person with a BMI over 30 is considered obese.

"We found other mutations that weren't as clearly damaging to the gene," Joseph Majzoub, MD, chief of endocrinology at Boston Children's Hospital said. "It's possible that some of these more common mutations actually are pathogenic, especially in combination with other genes in the same pathway."

According to the study, obese people may have a different and varied mechanism for consuming energy and gain weight faster than people with normal weight.