Syndromic obesity

Abstract

While adiposity is most commonly due to excess caloric intake, it is well established that genetic mutations or chromosomal abnormalities can cause excess weight gain. The term "syndromic obesity" is used to describe obese children and adults with cognitive delay, dysmorphic features, organ-specific abnormalities, hyperphagia, and/or other signs of hypothalamic dysfunction (Nature Rev. Genet 6:221–34, 2005; Farooqi and O'Rahilly, Annu Rev. Med 56:443–58, 2005). Obesity syndromes may be inherited in either an autosomal or an X-linked pattern and can be caused by de novo genetic mutations. It is important to identify syndromic causes of obesity as they are often associated with comorbidities that require additional evaluation and treatment.