Know The Cause
Could constant hunger be a sign of a different obesity?
Not all obesity is the same
Obesity is common. But there are different types. Sometimes, it is driven by a unique cause, or a specific condition. Constant hunger and weight gain starting from an early age could be a sign of a rare genetic condition.
Gene variants
Genes are your body’s instruction manual. They are passed down from your parents and control how your body grows and functions. All of us have changes in our genes, called variants, which make us unique. Some genetic variants can cause diseases.
Genetic conditions
Sometimes, genetic conditions are passed down from parents who have the gene variant. When they have a child, there is a chance that child may inherit two copies of the variant, one from each parent, resulting in a disease.
Genetic conditions that can cause obesity
The underlying cause of genetic conditions that cause obesity can be found in genes that control hunger and weight that aren’t working properly. These genetic conditions can affect you differently. Because people are born with genetic conditions, many will experience weight gain and obesity from an early age.
You can’t control your genes.
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“Every time we hear our doctor [say that] Joshua has a rare genetic disorder of obesity, it reminds us that it’s not our fault. We didn’t do anything to cause this.”-Mom of a child with a condition causing obesity
Actor portrayal
Rare genetic conditions and the brain
There are specific parts of your brain that control hunger by sending and receiving signals from your body, telling it when it's hungry and when it's full. One part is called the MC4R signaling pathway (after the melanocortin-4 receptor).
Certain rare genetic conditions that cause obesity often change how these signals are sent to your body.
Your brain and your body
Think of the MC4R pathway like a road with a traffic light. Cars on the road are like messages traveling from the body to the brain.
When the pathway is working, the traffic light is green. After eating, the cars can deliver messages in the brain that the body is full and it’s time to stop eating.
In certain rare genetic conditions that cause obesity, the MC4R pathway is broken.
When the pathway is broken, the traffic light is red. Because of this, the cars can no longer deliver messages in the brain that the body is full. The body then believes that it needs more food, even though it has had enough food.
What does constant, hard-to-control hunger feel like?
Different types of obesity may require different management
Ask your doctor about ways to manage constant, hard-to-control hunger and early-onset obesity.
Listen to Molly and Joshua’s story on their journey to a diagnosis.
"The best two pieces of advice that I have ever received and will give are: Trust your instincts, and don’t be scared to speak up."- Mom of a child with a condition causing obesity