Study Links Obesity Gene in Labradors to Human Weight Gain

Researchers identify the DENND1B gene as a shared factor in obesity for both dogs and humans, offering new insights into appetite and weight management.

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.