These studies predict that in the context of elevated MDM4 levels, a consequent inhibition of wt p53 would favor white fat deposition in adipocytes in the context of a high fat diet (prevalent in technologically advanced societies), with diabolical ramifications for the emerging link between obesity and cancer (Deng et al., 2016). Here, MDM4 is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.