Obesity is the result of an imbalance in energy consumption and energy usage; eating more calories than the total amount of calories burned. As a result the body accumulates the extra calories as fat and over time obesity results. Not everyone however gains weight from the imbalance in the caloric equation; this may be a result of genetics. Using direct and indirect studies scientists have been able to find some genes that are related to diet and obesity.
High Fat Diet Triggers PKC Beta Obese Gene
Researchers found that normal mice fed a high fat diet produced protein kinase beta (PKC beta) and showed a rapid weight gain over the 12 week test period. Mice lacking the gene did not produce PKC and did not gain weight (Huang et. al, “Loss of Protein Kinase Cβ Function Protects Mice Against Diet-Induced Obesity and Development of Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance,” Hepatology, Early View) The mechanism of how the PKC beta gene works is still not known but the scientists speculate that the gene triggers a fat storing mechanism.
Low Fat Diet Offsets Fat Mass and Obesity Associated Gene’s Effect
Having the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO gene) increases an individual’s risk for obesity. The effect of the FTO obesity gene can be offset by diet (Johnson et al. “Dietary Energy Density Affects Fat Mass in Early Adolescence and Is Not Modified by FTO Variants.” PLoS ONE, 2009; 4 (3) Abstract). In the study, children who carried the FTO gene were fed a low fat diet. The children were able to maintain a healthy weight when compared to the group of FTO children on a high fat diet.
Future Obesity Prediction Tests and Anti-Obese Drugs
Imagine being able to predict early on if an individual has genetic susceptibility to obesity. This could lead to early intervention and the subsequent prevention of obesity related conditions. Obesity genes are also a prime target for anti-obesity drugs. The therapeutic strategy can be designed to target the genes and the proteins they code for. The ultimate goal of the obesity drugs is to manage the obesity epidemic and the costly obesity related conditions like Type 2 diabetes and liver disease. Current pharmacological treatments that are geared to treating obesity focus on increasing energy expenditure. Obesity genes open a new class of therapy drugs.
Despite all the future promises of drugs that will help treat obesity and assist in weight loss, people are encouraged to concentrate on healthy lifestyles which include low fat diets with regular physical activity. This lifestyle will effectively help lower the risk of obesity.
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