A Review of Genes Associated with Obesity Susceptibility: Findings from Association Studies

Abstract

Obesity is described as the accumulation of excess body fat. Several health issues are caused by excess fat, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, obesity rates among schoolchildren and young adults are rising globally, putting young people at risk of chronic diseases. Genetics, epigenetic modification, epigenomics, and environmental factors influence inheritance patterns significantly. This systematic study aimed to classify and investigate the polymorphisms of novel candidate obesity genes. Several genes have been suggested, includingat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO), leptin gene (LEP), leptin receptor gene (LEPR), peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma gene (PPARG), melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R), insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1), adrenoceptor beta 2 (ADRB2), and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). The study’s literature review identified genes in scientific papers published in databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and others over the past three decades. There is evidence that genetic variations contribute to childhood obesity, adolescent obesity, and young adult obesity. Identifying functional differences and further defining the implicated molecularly and physiologically involved genes andpathways in efficient therapeutic approaches in fighting. Technological advances have recently demonstrated that genetic changes and mutations can be used as biological markers, risk indicators, and therapeutic targets.

Keywords

• genetics
• predictive markers
• obesity
• polymorphism