According to a new study, the loss of a key segment of DNA could be to blame for severe obesity in some children. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, included 300 severely obese children. Some of the children had already been placed on the social services "at risk" register, based on the assumption that their parents were intentionally overfeeding them. These children have now been removed from this list.

The study examined each child's entire genome for deletions or duplication of DNA, known as copy number variants (CNVs). Researchers compared the DNA profiles of obese children with peers of normal weight and found that in obese children certain parts of the genome were missing. Specifically, researchers identified a missing part of chromosome 16, which appeared to be strongly linked to severe obesity.

Researcher Dr. Sadaf Farooqi commented on the results: "Our results suggest that one particular gene on chromosome 16 called SH2B1 plays a key role in regulating weight and also in handling blood sugar levels. ..People with deletions involving this gene had a strong drive to eat and gained weight very easily.

"It adds to the growing weight of evidence that a wide range of genetic variants can produce a strong drive to eat. We hope that this will alter attitudes and practices amongst those with professional responsibility for the health and well-being of children."

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Labels: childhood-obesity, genetics

Posted By: Aspen Education Group