Obesity link to missing parts of DNA, say scientists

Published on Wednesday 3 February 2010 21:25

SCIENTISTS have uncovered evidence that a small proportion of obese people have lost part of their DNA.

As a result they are missing around 30 genes, but the impact on weight could be dramatic.

The abnormality is thought to affect around seven in every 1,000 obese people whose weight is great enough to pose a risk to health.

The research is the first to show that obesity in otherwise physically normal men and women can be caused by the rare loss of a section of DNA.

Study leader Professor Philippe Froguel, from Imperial College London, said: " It is becoming increasingly clear that for some morbidly obese people, their weight gain has an underlying genetic cause.

"If we can identify these individuals through genetic testing, we can then offer them appropriate support and medical interventions, such as the option of weight-loss surgery, to improve their long-term health."

The scientists first identified the missing genes in teenagers and adults who had learning difficulties or delayed development.