FOXO1 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency: Reduced FOXO1 expression may suggest a decrease in transition from clonal expansion (i.e., cell cycle) to terminal differentiation in pre-adipocytes [38], and while this may occur with advancing obesity and dyslipidaemia, as seen with our CON males compared to females, it may also be further reduced as a result of fasting with or without exercise.