Behavioral genetics of childhood obesity

Research on the behavioral genetics of childhood obesity is presented. Obesity clusters in families, and both twin and adoption studies have shown a genetic contribution to the development of obesity. Analysis of the heritability of intake has not shown food or taste preferences to have a strong genetic basis. The effect of heredity on activity level and fitness is stronger than for intake variables. Research on the role of familial obesity in the treatment of childhood obesity shows that children with obese parents may be less successful in a weight control program than obese children with nonobese parents during the first year of treatment; these differences do not tend to be maintained over three years.