Obesity, a global health catastrophe, arises from complex interactions between environmental factors and genetic predispositions. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the genetic b Show more
Obesity, a global health catastrophe, arises from complex interactions between environmental factors and genetic predispositions. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the genetic basis of obesity and contrasts rare monogenic forms caused by mutations in a single gene with common polygenic forms caused by hundreds of genetic variants with small effects. We highlight important genes in neuroendocrine signaling pathways, particularly the leptin-melanocortin system involving Show less