Resumo

TEJERO, María Elizabeth. Genetics of obesity. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.6, pp.441-450. ISSN 1665-1146.

Obesity is the excessive deposition of adipose tissue resulting of energy imbalance. The changes in food availability and characteristics, as well as the decrease in physical activity during the last decades have favored the energy imbalance causing that energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. This trend has been observed in all age groups across different countries. The response to environmental changes affecting diet and physical activity is widely diverse and certain subjects and populations seem to be more prone to develop obesity and its related comorbidities. In early onset obesity it is important to differentiate between obesity due to rare genetic abnormalities from the common forms. Numerous genetic abnormalities are characterized by obesity. In some cases, single gene mutations can have a very important effect on body mass index (BMI). The present manuscript addresses the rare and common forms of obesity with special regard to observations in children. It also discusses different methodological approaches currently used for the study of genetic factors influencing common obesity or variation in BMI, including the candidate gene approach, genome scan, genome-wide association studies and gene expression studies. Nowadays obesity is considered a complex disease with a polygenic background. Some gene variants have been associated with common obesity and variation in BMI. However, the effects observed seem to be minor and replications in different populations are required to confirm the effect of the identified alleles and to establish the mechanisms that explain their contribution to obesity.

Palavras-chave : Obesity; genetics; body mass index.

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