How a single MC4R Gene Variant Is Linked to Sever Childhood Obesity

New research shows that rare variants in the MC4R gene, which regulates hunger and energy use, are strongly associated with severe early-onset obesity. In recent studies published by the NIH, children and young adults carrying harmful MC4R variants had more visceral fat and worse insulin resistance, even when their BMI matched other without the mutation.

Background information from the World Journal of Experimental Medicine explains how these mutations disrupt appetite regulation pathways in the brain. Because MC4R controls hunger signals, damaging variants can lead to overeating and lower energy use from a very young age.