Two children were born with ‘insatiable hunger’ that left them severely obese. Now scientists know why

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Never-before-seen genetic mutations have been found in two children with a rare case of “insatiable hunger” that drove them to severe obesity. The genetic mutations found in the children interfered with the hormone leptin, that tells the body when the stomach is full, said the research published in The New England Journal of Medicine. While previous research has revealed over a dozen genetic variations that interfered with leptin’s production, release or sensitivity in people – leading to insatiable hunger – the new case report reveals a completely different mechanism by which a mutation affecting the hormone causes severe obesity. In lab studies, scientists found that the leptin versions in the children’s bodies produced very weak signaling even though they had high quantities of the hormone.