Adiponectin acts principally as an insulin sensitiser; it is inversely associated with parameters of adult obesity and has anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects (Arita et al, 1999; Ouchi et al, 1999; Yokota et al, 2000; Ouchi et al, 2001; Motoshima et al, 2002; Cnop et al, 2003; Gavrila et al, 2003). Here, ADIPOQ is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.