VL cases, as compared with MOD cases and controls, had higher prevalence of elevated serum hsCRP (>5 mg/L; 57%, 15%, and 22%, respectively; P = 0.004), detectable milk TNF-α (67%, 32%, and 33%, respectively; P = 0.04), and obesity (78%, 40%, and 22%, respectively; P = 0.003). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.