Neither VEGF-A nor VEGF-D expression was increased in people with obesity (SMD = 0.66; 95% CI − 0.17, 1.49; p = 0.12) and (SMD = 0.84; 95% CI − 1.33, 3.00; p = 0.45), respectively. The gene discussed is VEGFD; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.