Effect of polymorphisms in LEP, LEPR and MC4R genes over eating behavior in obese children and adolescents

Abstract

The worldwide increase of obesity prevalence is mainly attributed to changes in dietary patterns and decrease of physical activity, which affect mainly individuals genetically susceptible to weight gain. The major component of the homeostatic control of central signals of hunger and satiety is situated in the hypothalamic area, being the leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR) and melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R) genes of critical importance in the control of food consumption. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LEP, LEPR and MC4R may cause an imbalance of homeostatic regulation, affecting peripheral and/or central signals, leading to aggravation of obesity and increase in the risk of developing eating disorders, such as binge eating behavior. The present study aims to search for allelic variants in the LEP, LEPR and MC4R and to investigate their influence over eating behavior, metabolic profile and obesity risk. The investigation of variants in these genes will lead to a better comprehension of genetic factors which predispose to changes of eating behavior, once studies in the pediatric population remain scarce in our country. Our study will comprise 500 obese children and adolescents and a control group of 150 normal-weight children. Patients will have anthropometric and metabolic data assessed, as well as binge eating severity and dietary intake. The development of molecular study will then be conducted for further analysis and discussion of results. (AU)