The genetics of human obesity

Abstract EN

Obesity is a classical complex trait, influenced by both genetic and lifestyle factors.

The number of obesity gene variants is currently unknown but, based on sound evolutionary principles, likely to be many, each with a modest effect on the phenotype.

Recent advances in our knowledge of variation in the human genome and high throughput genotyping technologies have made possible genome wide association analysis and the identification of bona fide susceptibility genes for many complex diseases and phenotypes, including obesity and its comorbid conditions.