In addition, we found that younger adults, as well as those with metabolic disorders (i.e., obesity, hypertension, T2DM) showed inverse associations of MCNP, MBP and MIBP with α-Klotho, implying that such people might be the susceptible population whose α-Klotho levels tend to be decreased due to phthalate exposure. The gene discussed is NMRK2; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.