Researchers Unveiled Rare Genetic Forms of Obesity

STATES CHRONICLE – A new study conducted by scientists at the McMaster University has indicated that there exist numerous genetic forms of obesity. Previous studies analyzing obesity suggested that there exist from 20 to 30 genetic syndromes related to obesity. Nevertheless, after the first review on obesity forms, researchers from the University of British Columbia and McMaster University have unveiled 79 obesity syndromes.

Initially, scientists knew that there existed about 20 to 30 genetic forms of obesity

The new research led by David Meyre was published on March 27 in Obesity Reviews. David Meyre is an associate professor of the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact with the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Meyre stated that there exist rare genetic forms of obesity which are differentiated through several specific clinical features, like organ-specific or facial abnormalities and intellectual disability.

Yuvreet Kaur, the first author of the study and a graduate of the McMaster Bachelor of Sciences Honors Biology Program, stated that even if they are rare, these syndromes are more diverse and numerous than specialists ever thought. In North America, obesity is known to be a severe health problem because rates have dramatically increased over the last thirty years. Back in 2014, about 20.2% of Canadians with ages of 18 years old reported having unusual height and weight for their age, being classified as obese.

After more analyses, specialists discovered that there are 79 such syndromes

Other diseases which are associated with obesity are Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, mental health issues, gallbladder disease, coronary heart disease, fatty liver and particular forms of cancers. Meyre and his colleagues have used seven different datasets, and they examined about 161 studies. In this way, they found out that up to this moment about 79 genetic forms of obesity were reported.

Apparently, 19 cases out of 79 syndromes have been solved by scientists from a genetic point of view to the stage where a lab test can confirm these genetic forms of obesity. Another 11 such syndromes were clarified while 27 genetic obesity forms were mapped to a chromosomal area. The remaining 22 syndromes are still being analyzed, and scientists hope to reveal the location of the genes or the chromosomal region.

Mayre addressed specialists around the world to develop international and national collaborations to identify which genes cause these syndromes, trying to boost genetic research.

Image source: pixabay