Genetic Obesity News

January 14, 2021January 14, 2021

Genetic Risk Factors for Obesity Seen to Differ Between Children and Adults

Genetic risk factors underlying childhood obesity differ from those in adulthood, a large-scale analysis found. Better understanding of such risk factors could further the study of childhood obesity in relation to ... Read more

January 11, 2021January 11, 2021

Rhythm Pumps $100M Gained in Voucher Sale Back Into Imcivree

Genetic Obesity News

In a $100 million deal, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals is selling its rare pediatric disease priority review voucher (PRV), granted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the approval of ... Read more

January 4, 2021January 4, 2021

Setmelanotide Lowers Weight, Hunger in Bardet-Biedl Syndrome, Phase 3 Trial Shows

COVID-19 News, Genetic Obesity News

One year of treatment with setmelanotide was safe and resulted in a significant drop in body weight and hunger in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) patients, ages 12 years older, with moderate ... Read more

December 21, 2020January 4, 2021

Fruit Fly Model Cost-effective for Screening Obesity-related Genes

Genetic Obesity News

Genetic screening in fruit flies is a relatively simple, cost-effective, and rapid process with the potential to increase understanding of genetic obesity development in humans. Specifically, the fruit fly is ... Read more

December 17, 2020January 4, 2021

Study: Genetics Have Little Effect on Response to Weight Loss Interventions in Children

Genetic Obesity News

Genetic susceptibility toward obesity has little impact on whether lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss are successful in children who are overweight or obese, a new study suggests. The study, ... Read more

December 14, 2020December 14, 2020

High Genetically-predicted BMI Raises Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Study Suggests

Genetic Obesity News

Having a higher genetic likelihood for greater body mass index (BMI), a measure of body fat, increases the risk for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to an analysis of data of ... Read more

December 10, 2020December 11, 2020

Radiation Therapy for Childhood Leukemia Alters BMI Heritability, Study Finds

Genetic Obesity News

Adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who are at high risk for obesity, exhibit alterations in genetic variants associated with body mass index (BMI) — a measure of body ... Read more

December 7, 2020December 7, 2020

FDA Approves Hetlioz for Sleep Disturbances in Smith-Magenis Syndrome Patients

Genetic Obesity News

Hetlioz (tasimelteon) has been approved in the U.S. to treat nighttime sleeping problems in people, ages 3 and older, with Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), a rare genetic disorder also linked to obesity. The ... Read more

December 3, 2020December 3, 2020

Leptin’s Effects in Weight Control May Fade With Age, Study Contends

Genetic Obesity News

Two mutations in or near the LEP gene resulting in lower levels of the hunger-reducing hormone leptin are associated significantly with a higher body mass index (BMI) in early childhood, but ... Read more

November 30, 2020November 30, 2020

Imcivree (Setmelanotide) Becomes 1st Treatment Approved in US for 3 Rare Obesity Disorders

Genetic Obesity News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Imcivree (setmelanotide) as the first-ever treatment for people, 6 and older, with POMC deficiency, PCSK1 deficiency, and LEPR deficiency, three rare genetic ... Read more

November 23, 2020January 4, 2021

Survey Finds COVID-19 Disrupted Care, Well-Being of Rare Disease Patients in Europe

COVID-19 News, Genetic Obesity News

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a ... Read more

November 19, 2020November 19, 2020

Higher COVID Infection Risk Seen in Those With Genetic Obesity, ‘Bad’ Cholesterol

COVID-19 News, Genetic Obesity News

People who are genetically predisposed toward obesity or having high levels of so-called “bad” cholesterol — low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — are at increased risk of contracting COVID-19, a study reported. ... Read more

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

Weekly Setmelanotide Still as Safe and Effective as Daily Formulation, Trial Data Suggests

Genetic Obesity News

The new weekly formulation of setmelanotide, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals’ lead candidate for rare genetic obesity disorders, continues to be as effective and safe at promoting weight loss in healthy obese individuals ... Read more

November 9, 2020November 10, 2020

Genetic Predisposition to Obesity May Protect Against Breast, Prostate Cancer, Study Suggests

Genetic Obesity News

Genetic predisposition to weight gain might protect against breast and prostate cancer, a new large study from the U.K suggests. The findings contradict prevailing theory — and public health advice ... Read more

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020

Obesity Can Cause Kidney Disease, Genetic Study Suggests

Genetic Obesity News

People whose genetics predispose them towards obesity are more likely to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), a new study indicates. Notably, the findings suggest that obesity can cause CKD primarily ... Read more