Pathogenetic mechanisms of excess weight

Why it matters

Inherited characteristics are involved in appetite regulation and can influence satiety, adipose tissue function, and energy metabolism. They may also be associated with cellular sensitivity to insulin and the way the body uses glucose and fatty acids to produce energy.

The test helps the physician gain a deeper understanding of the individual mechanisms that may contribute to weight gain. Genetic findings are considered alongside laboratory markers, body composition, medical history, and the patient’s lifestyle. This broader picture can help refine a weight management programme, adjust nutrition and physical activity, and select comprehensive therapy when clinically indicated.

Genetic mechanisms of weight gain

The tendency to gain weight is partly associated with inherited characteristics. Genetic variants may influence appetite and satiety, insulin sensitivity, fat accumulation, glucose and lipid metabolism, and the way the body expends energy. The panel analyses ADIPOQ, LEPR, MC4R, POMC, PPARG, PPARGC1A, PPARD, FTO, INS, and PPARGC1B, genes associated with different mechanisms involved in body weight regulation. Their analysis helps identify genetic characteristics that may contribute to increased appetite, delayed satiety, a greater tendency to accumulate body fat, and differences in energy metabolism.

These findings help the physician better understand the individual factors that may contribute to weight gain and take them into account when selecting nutrition, physical activity, and a comprehensive weight management programme.

Genetic factors in weight gain

Excess weight can develop under the influence of dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, hormonal and metabolic factors, and inherited characteristics. Obesity can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Such a metabolic disorder may make weight loss and subsequent weight management more difficult.

When being overweight is difficult to address or weight returns after weight loss, genetic testing can provide a deeper understanding of the individual factors involved in weight gain. The analysis identifies inherited characteristics associated with appetite and satiety, insulin sensitivity, fat accumulation, and energy metabolism. These findings help the physician develop a personalised strategy for weight loss and long-term weight management.

Regulation of appetite and satiety

Genetic tendency towards fat accumulation

Characteristics of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

Tissue sensitivity to insulin

Characteristics of energy expenditure and utilisation

Inherited factors associated with metabolic disorders

Additional data for personalising nutrition and physical activity

Excess weight and obesity

Increased appetite and delayed satiety

Tendency to regain weight after weight loss

Insulin resistance

Metabolic syndrome

Disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism

Assessment of type 2 diabetes risk

Personalised nutrition planning

Personalisation of physical activity

Selection of comprehensive obesity therapy

Long-term weight management

Programme components

The panel includes 10 genes, each associated with specific processes involved in body weight regulation. Some are involved in the control of eating behaviour, others are associated with insulin and adipose tissue function, while others influence cellular energy metabolism. Together, these findings provide a more comprehensive view of the patient’s genetic characteristics and help identify factors that may be relevant when reducing and subsequently maintaining body weight.

ADIPOQ gene

ADIPOQ is associated with the production of adiponectin, a hormone produced predominantly by adipose tissue. Adiponectin is involved in regulating cellular sensitivity to insulin and the metabolism of glucose and fatty acids.
Analysis of ADIPOQ helps assess inherited characteristics of processes associated with adipose tissue function and metabolic health.

LEPR gene

LEPR is associated with the leptin receptor. Through this receptor, the body responds to signals from leptin, a hormone that provides the brain with information about energy stores and contributes to the regulation of satiety.
Analysis of LEPR variants provides additional information about genetic characteristics of leptin signalling and the regulation of eating behaviour.

MC4R gene

MC4R plays an important role in the central regulation of appetite and energy balance. Through the melanocortin system, the brain receives and processes signals related to hunger and satiety.
Certain MC4R variants are associated with a greater tendency towards weight gain and obesity. The test helps assess the genetic component of mechanisms involved in appetite control.

POMC gene

POMC is involved in a system that helps the brain regulate food intake and energy balance. Its function is associated with signalling molecules that influence satiety.
Analysis of POMC provides additional information about inherited characteristics of the central regulation of eating behaviour. Together with MC4R, POMC is one of the key components of the leptin-melanocortin pathway, which plays an important role in body weight regulation.

PPARG gene

PPARG is associated with the formation and function of fat cells. It is also involved in lipid metabolism and the regulation of tissue sensitivity to insulin.
Analysis of PPARG variants provides a more detailed assessment of individual characteristics of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

PPARGC1A gene

PPARGC1A is involved in the regulation of energy metabolism and mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are structures within cells that play a central role in energy production.
The analysis provides additional information about inherited characteristics of cellular energy metabolism and the way the body uses energy.

PPARD gene

PPARD is associated with the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and energy-related processes.
Analysis of its variants adds information to the genetic profile about individual mechanisms involved in using fats as a source of energy.

FTO gene

FTO is one of the most extensively studied genes associated with body weight and the risk of common obesity. Certain variants are associated with eating behaviour, energy intake, and a greater predisposition to weight gain. The influence of genetic factors also interacts with nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors.
Analysis of FTO helps assess the inherited component of a tendency towards increased body weight and genetic characteristics associated with eating behaviour.

INS gene

INS is associated with insulin production. This hormone regulates blood glucose levels, helps cells take up and use glucose, and participates in energy metabolism.
Analysis of INS provides additional information about inherited characteristics associated with the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism.

PPARGC1B gene

PPARGC1B is involved in the regulation of genes associated with energy and lipid metabolism.
Its analysis adds information about cellular mechanisms that influence energy utilisation and lipid metabolism.