The mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and hypertension are complex and remain unclear and include activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, hyperinsulinaemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, disturbed sodium homeostasis, vascular damage, and the abnormal levels of adipokines39,40. Here, REN is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.