Certain rare genetic disorders may cause a child to develop obesity. Health experts may refer to these conditions as syndromic childhood obesity. They may affect a child’s metabolism or cause them to become more sedentary.

A genetic disorder is a condition that occurs due to variations in a person’s genes. Genes are sequences of DNA that determine a person’s characteristics. They are present in a person’s chromosomes. A person inherits their genes from their parents.

A person can inherit certain genetic conditions from their parents. Others result from spontaneous alterations in a person’s genes.

Childhood obesity may occur due to several factors, including the environment and lifestyle. Sometimes, a child may develop obesity due to a genetic disorder. However, most of these disorders tend to occur with other physical symptoms or health conditions.

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Yes, certain genetic disorders may cause a child to develop obesity. This is known as syndromic childhood obesity.

A review from 2020 notes that the genetic conditions that cause childhood obesity are rare. Researchers also note that there are around 25 types of syndromic obesity.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a genetic condition that affects many different parts of the body. It develops due to issues with chromosome 15.

Around 70% of people with Prader-Willi syndrome develop it because chromosome 15 lacks a specific segment. However, most of these people do not inherit it from a parent; instead, Prader-Willi syndrome develops randomly.

A 2022 review states that Prader-Willi syndrome is the most common syndromic cause of childhood obesity. Evidence estimates that it affects 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 30,000 people worldwide.

Typically, a child with Prader-Willi syndrome also has hyperphagia. This is a feeling of extreme, insatiable hunger. It can lead to overeating.

Treatment for a child with Prader-Willi syndrome may depend on their symptoms. It is possible to manage obesity symptoms by implementing a strict dietary plan and exercise routine.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is an inherited genetic disorder. It occurs when a genetic variation affects the primary cilia. Primary cilia are hair-like structures on the surface of a cell that allow for cellular communication.

The Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Foundation notes that more than 20 genes are associated with the condition. Bardet-Biedl syndrome may cause hyperphagia. One of the primary symptoms of the disease is obesity. This may develop by the time an infant is 1 year old.

Treatment options for obesity that develops due to Bardet-Biedl syndrome may include dietary changes and physical exercise. A 2022 review notes that clinical trials using melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonists to treat Bardet-Biedl syndrome-related obesity showed some benefit.

Learn more about cells and how they work.

Cohen syndrome is an inherited genetic condition. It develops due to alterations in the VPS13B/COH1 gene. This gene produces a protein that is involved in the attachment of sugar molecules to proteins. This protein may also be involved with the normal development of fat cells.

A 2018 review notes that teenagers with Cohen syndrome may develop truncal obesity. This is when a person has more fat around their stomach and abdomen. Researchers state that this may occur due to an increased likelihood of cells without the VPS13B protein developing into fat-storing cells.

Treatment for Cohen syndrome focuses on treating its symptoms. A child with this condition may benefit from a specialized dietary pattern and physical exercise.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs due to changes on chromosome 11, specifically in the 11p15.5 region. These changes may cause a wide variety of symptoms.

An infant with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome may be larger than average. More than half the infants who have Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome are above the 97th percentile in weight for gestational age.

Treatments for Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome may depend on its symptoms. Excessive growth may slow once a child reaches 8 years old.

Learn more about percentiles and baby weight.

AHO is an inherited condition that develops due to variations in the GNAS gene. Its symptoms may include early-onset obesity.

A 2023 article notes that obesity caused by AHO may occur due to a lack of physical activity rather than overeating.

According to a 2022 review, there are currently no medications available to treat AHO-related obesity. Increasing physical activity may help a child to reduce their weight.

Alstrom syndrome is a very rare condition that occurs due to an alteration in the ALMS1 gene. It may affect endocrine and metabolic functions. The endocrine system produces and releases hormones into the body. A person’s metabolism converts the food they eat into energy.

A 2022 review notes that infants with Alstrom syndrome may develop truncal obesity in the first year of life. A 2021 review states that certain endocrine complications caused by Alstrom syndrome have links to obesity.

There are currently no specific treatments for Alstrom syndrome. However, a clinical trial found that MC4R agonists may benefit people with the condition.

Information from 2017 notes that other causes of childhood obesity can include:

  • other genetic causes, such as having parents with obesity
  • consuming more energy than they require
  • gestational weight gain
  • high intake of protein and energy during infancy
  • being from a lower socioeconomic background
  • poor sleep
  • increased screen time
  • lack of physical activity
  • snacking
  • living in food deserts
  • stress

Certain genetic conditions may cause childhood obesity. These conditions occur due to variations in a person’s genes. A person may be inherit them from their parents or develop them spontaneously.

Treatment will vary depending on the condition. Generally, increasing physical activity and making dietary changes may help to manage obesity. If a person is concerned that their child or infant may have obesity, they should contact their doctor.

Additionally, it is worth noting that syndromic childhood obesity occurs with other symptoms. As such, if a child has obesity and no other findings, it is unlikely that it is due to a genetic condition.

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