Hormonal
Mutations in the coding sequence of the human OB (leptin) gene are not a common cause of obesity in humans, despite causing obesity in mice.
This research suggests that for the vast majority of people with obesity, the cause is not a simple, single-gene mutation in the leptin pathway. This implies that lifestyle interventions (diet and exercise) are still relevant and potentially effective, as the biological machinery for regulating weight is likely intact, even if dysregulated by other factors.
No coding sequence polymorphism was found, suggesting that mutations in the coding sequence of the OB gene do not constitute a common cause of increased body weight in humans.
Why this rating
Large sample size (105 subjects) across diverse ethnic groups using a sensitive detection method (SSCP), though limited to coding sequences only.
Source
Absence of Mutations in the Human <i>OB</i> Gene in Obese/Diabetic Subjects
Margherita Maffei et al. · Diabetes · 1996
DOI 10.2337/diab.45.5.679
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