Within the hypothalamus, the anorexigenic peptides pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC, a precursor of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and oxytocin (OXY) play an important role in the control of food intake and energy balance, and dysregulation of these peptides contributes to the obesity. This evidence concerns the gene POMC and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.