Gene Variant Linked to Sixfold Increase in Adult Obesity Risk

Scientists uncover a rare genetic variant in adults that significantly elevates the likelihood of obesity, offering new insights into the condition's biological underpinnings.

Scientists have discovered a gene variant in the BSN gene, also known as Bassoon, which significantly increases the risk of obesity in adults by six times.
This genetic variant, affecting about 1 in 6,500 adults or approximately 10,000 people in the UK, is also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Unlike previously identified obesity-related genes, the BSN and APBA1 gene variants are linked exclusively to adult-onset obesity, not affecting individuals during childhood.
The discovery opens new avenues for understanding the biological mechanisms of obesity and potentially developing targeted treatments for those with the gene variant.
The research, involving over half a million participants from the UK Biobank, highlights the importance of genetic factors in obesity, beyond environmental and lifestyle influences.