Obesity is associated with a low grade inflammatory state [15, 16], which may be triggered by adipocyte hypertrophy and consequent secretion of pro-inflammatory markers, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β, C-reactive protein (CRP) [17], tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) [18] and monocyte chemoattractant factor [19]. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.