These results suggest that in obese people the increased production of leptin and the decreased production of adiponectin are associated with the systemic low-degree inflammation and insulin resistance, observed in preeclampsia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases, explaining the increased risk of developing these diseases present in people with obesity, particularly abdominal obesity. The gene discussed is LEP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.