Spotlight: The Burden of Obesity: Genes and Environment

Genomics|Update|Current

Genomics & Health Impact Update: July 28, 2013

• Spotlight

Volume 31   Number 4   July 25 - August 1, 2013

Spotlight: The Burden of Obesity: Genes and Environment

CDC information: Obesity and extreme obesity rates decline among low-income preschool children
CDC is working to implement policy and environmental strategies to make healthy eating and active living accessible and affordable for everyone.
CDC information: What do genes have to do with obesity? Behavior, environment, and genetic factors all have a role in causing people to be overweight and obese
Did you know? 1572 genes have been reported in relation to obesity risk and outcomes, including 138 genomewide association studies. To find out more, visit the HuGE Navigator
Find out about genetic conditions associated with obesity, gene reviews and available genetic tests using the NIH Genetic Testing Registry

Current Scientific Findings on Obesity
Loss of function of the melanocortin 2 receptor accessory protein 2 is associated with mammalian obesity.
Masato Asai et al. Science, Jul 19
Rare gene mutations suggest one more path to obesity, by Rebecca Voelker, JAMA News, Jul 18
Overweight? Maybe you really can blame your genes, by Gina Kolata, New York Times, Jul 18
Stop blaming genetics for your weight, by M Hart, Huffington Post, Jul 19
Do these genes make me look fat? A new study zeroes in on a bit of a DNA that leads to ‘obesity-prone behaviors’, by Kent Sepkowitz, Daily Beast, Jul 18
A link between FTO, ghrelin, and impaired brain food-cue responsivity.
Karra E, et al. J Clin Invest. 2013 Jul 15. pii: 44403.

Obesity gene boosts hunger hormone, by Rebecca Bazeley, PHG Foundation, Jul 22