Influence of some hereditary factors on weight loss following conservative and surgical treatment of obese female monozygotic twins

Background: The important role of hereditary factors in the etiology of obesity has been demonstrated by various authors in last few years. The possible influence of some genetic factors on weight reduction or maintenance following conservative and/or surgical treatment was studied in 14 pairs of obese female monozygotic twins. Methods: 12 pairs of twins underwent a weight reduction regimen initiated by short-term inpatient treatment; two pairs were treated by nonadjustable gastric banding. Some factors that may be genetically influenced and that can predict, to some extent, success or failure in long-term weight loss were followed up in obese pairs. Results: The most valuable predictors of long-term outcome in this group of patients were initial weight loss, fat mass, respiratory quotient, waist circumference, and sagittal abdominal diameter. Conclusion: Hereditary factors cause significantly higher risk of treatment failure in some obese subjects. There is a need to pay special attention to these factors in order to achieve successful long-term weight loss.