Summarize the results of performing genome-wide searches for genes that control obesity. What ...

The results of several of these genome scans indicate that important genes for obesity are located on nine different chromosomes. One of the early successes in this search was the identification of an allele of the FTO gene as one strongly associated with BMI. Current research efforts are directed at the mechanisms by which these genes confer risk for obesity. Further work may identify additional genes involved in obesity and provide a foundation for studying how these genes interact with environmental factors to cause obesity.