Indeed, a recent study of pro-inflammatory markers in the plasma of volunteers with Grade II or higher obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) found considerable person-to-person variation, ranging from markedly elevated to normal concentrations of many parameters measured, including IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) (29). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.