The adaptive response to metabolic changes plays a critical role in diurnal pattern generation of metabolism because our models with PVH neuron activity clamped at high (i.e. NachBac), or low (i.e. Kir2.1) levels, both with loss of response to metabolic changes, develop obesity with reduced diurnal rhythms in metabolism. Here, KCNJ2 is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.