Since both bioactive molecules can be detected in blood samples by ELISA we aimed to address two major questions in the present clinical study: (1) are wnt5a serum concentrations increased in blood samples of human subjects with severe obesity compared to lean controls and (2) does caloric restriction either reduce wnt5a and/or improve sFRP5 serum levels which would suggest a beneficial effect on low grade inflammation in obesity. This evidence concerns the gene SFRP5 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.