Recent progress in the genetics of common obesity.

ABSTRACT: The genetic contribution to interindividual variation in common obesity has been estimated at 40-70%. Yet, despite a relatively high heritability, the search for obesity susceptibility genes has been an arduous task. This paper reviews recent progress made in the obesity genetics field with an emphasis on established obesity susceptibility loci identified through candidate gene as well as genome-wide studies. For the last 15 years, candidate gene and genome-wide linkage studies have been the two main genetic epidemiological approaches to identify genetic loci for common traits, yet progress has been slow and success limited. Only recently have candidate gene studies started to succeed; by means of large-scale studies and meta-analyses at least five variants in four candidate genes have bee

SUBMITTER: Loos RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2810793 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature