summary

• genetic explanations for obesity argue that some people are at a higher risk of becoming obese due to their genetics, eg some may have a risk variant of the FTO gene which increases the level of ghrelin making them feel hungry more often. Others have a risk copy of the MC4R gene which disrupts the communication of leptin to the brain meaning the hypothalamus does not register that you are full
• Criticisms of the studies of single risk genes can only explain obesity in a tiny number of people relative to number of obese people
• criticism of the studies of single risk genes only explaining in a tiny number of people that are obese- cannot explain the WHO organisations 160 million obese people in Europe, but studies suggest the amount of people with a risk gene is much lower