A study on British Labrador retrievers identified the DENND1B gene, which is associated with obesity in both dogs and humans. This gene influences the leptin melanocortin pathway, crucial for energy balance regulation. Additional genes affecting canine obesity were also linked to human obesity. Despite the genetic predisposition, strict diet and exercise can prevent obesity in both dogs and humans, suggesting that behavior can mitigate genetic risk. This underscores the importance of brain pathways in appetite and body weight control.
We measured how much dogs pestered their owners for food and whether they were fussy eaters. Dogs at high genetic risk of obesity showed signs of having higher appetite.
These genes are not immediately obvious targets for weight-loss drugs, because they control other key biological processes in the body that should not be interfered with.
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