It has been determined that Lactobacillus kefiri DH5 exerts these anti-obesity effects by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestinal lumen and increasing the expression of PPARα, carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I (CPT1), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) in adipose tissue. The gene discussed is FABP4; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.