A prominent expert on obesity has highlighted a factor that may hinder weight loss efforts – a mutated gene that leads to a perpetual feeling of never being full.
The issue of obesity has escalated into a significant public health crisis in the UK, affecting approximately two-thirds of adults who are either overweight or obese, with about 29% classified as obese.
This concerning trend, which tends to worsen with age, is associated with severe health complications such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Professor Sadaf Farooqi, a consultant endocrinologist at Cambridge University, emphasized that some individuals face greater challenges in losing weight due to genetic predispositions.
Prof Farooqi, who specializes in treating severe obesity and related endocrine disorders, heads the Genetics of Obesity Study. She explained that specific genes influence the brain’s mechanisms for controlling hunger and satiety in response to signals from the stomach to the brain.
In an interview with the BBC, Prof Farooqi stated that genetic variations in these genes are prevalent in individuals with obesity, causing increased hunger and reduced feelings of fullness after eating. She detailed a mutation in the MC4R gene, which promotes overeating and diminishes the sensation of fullness, believed to be present in approximately a fifth of the global population.
Acknowledging the impact of genetic factors on metabolism and energy expenditure, Prof Farooqi endorsed the use of weight loss medications to address these challenges. She highlighted the significance of these drugs in addressing the genetic influences on weight regulation.
Statistics from the Health Foundation’s 2025 analysis indicate that over 60% of UK adults are now classified as overweight or obese. Factors contributing to this include the availability and consumption of low-quality, high-calorie, and highly processed foods.
The proliferation of fast food and sugary beverage advertisements, coupled with limited opportunities for physical activity, further exacerbate the weight management struggle. Prof Farooqi underscored that the population is experiencing increased obesity rates, particularly among individuals with a genetic predisposition to weight gain.
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