Overview

• The DENND1B gene, strongly associated with obesity in Labradors, is also linked to higher body mass indexes in humans.
• The gene influences the leptin-melanocortin pathway, a brain system that regulates appetite and energy balance.
• Dogs with the obesity-linked gene variant had approximately 8% more body fat than those without it, mirroring patterns seen in humans.
• Strict diet and exercise management can prevent obesity in dogs and humans with high genetic risk, though it requires significant effort.
• The findings highlight genetic similarities between species and suggest dogs can serve as a model for studying human obesity.