Genetics of obesity

The percentage of obesity that can be attributed to genetics varies widely, depending on the population examined, from 6% to 85%,[6] with the typical estimate at 50%.

[30] The thrifty gene hypothesis postulates that due to dietary scarcity during human evolution people are prone to obesity.

[31] This is the presumed reason that Pima Native Americans, who evolved in a desert ecosystem, developed some of the highest rates of obesity when exposed to a Western lifestyle.

[32] Numerous studies of laboratory rodents provide strong evidence that genetics play an important role in obesity.

[41] In people with early-onset severe obesity (defined by an onset before 10 years of age and body mass index over three standard deviations above normal), 7% harbor a single locus mutation.

A painting of a dark haired pink cheeked obese nude young female leaning against a table. She is holding grapes and grape leaves in her left hand which cover her genitalia.
A 1680 painting by Juan Carreño de Miranda of a girl presumed to have Prader-Willi syndrome [ 1 ]