title: Identification of Genes Predisposing to Clinically Severe Obesity: An Approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND: Familial correlations, twin studies and adoption studies have all indicated that human obesity has a substantial genetic component. To date, obesity genes have only been identified using mouse models. METHODS: In an attempt to identify human obesity genes large numbers of multigenerational families, in whom extreme obesity segregates, are currently being collected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Relative risk estimates and models of genetic heterogeneity indicate that at least 500 affected sibling pairs will need to be collected to identify major genes.
authors.affiliation: Pacific Bariatric Surgery Medical Group, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: North
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rumsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zorn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Joslyn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Walen