Identification of Genes Predisposing to Clinically Severe Obesity: An Approach.
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.
North
M
Pacific Bariatric Surgery Medical Group, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA.
Jacobs
JR
Murphy
L
Rumsey
E
Tanaka
L
Zorn
G
Joslyn
G
Walen
ML