Therefore, to better clarify the relationship of serum osteocalcin level to atherosclerosis without confounding from metabolic variables, the present study excluded subjects with traditional risk factors for CVD (overweight, obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia), and further eliminated those with history of CVD or carotid plaque. The gene discussed is BGLAP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.