title: [The genetics of obesity].
abstract: Although environmental factors clearly play a role, studies of twins and adoptees show that obesity is a familial trait which to a large degree can be ascribed to genetic factors. According to evolutionary models, obesity-causing variants may originally have had an evolutionary benefit, whereas in a modern environment they pose a risk. Despite a clear genetic cause, the molecular genetic variations underlying common forms of obesity are not clear. Out of many hundred candidates, only a few hold up, and only variations in the MC4R gene have been found with a prevalence which may lead to common forms of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Exiqon A/S, Vedbaek.
authors.forename: Søren M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Echwald
authors.forename: Philip Just
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Oluf Borbye
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Thorkild I A
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Sørensen
mesh_terms: D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*