Higher expression of angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2), HIF-1α, EGF like domain multiple 6 (EGFL6), several MMP genes, and growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) was observed in individuals living with obesity (P ≤ 0.008, Table 4). Here, GDF15 is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.