Chinese experts are looking for ways to block a human "fat" gene variant in order to treat obesity.

However, the treatment, if proved effective, may be years away.

"Recent studies have unequivocally associated the fat mass and obesity-associated FTO gene with the risk of obesity," said Chai Jijie, a research fellow with the Beijing-based National Institute of Biological Sciences.

"We are now focusing our study on identifying FTO-specific inhibitors."

If successful, lead researcher Chai and his co-workers' study might finally help the obese slim down.

The FTO gene, sitting on human chromosome 16, packs on the weight when it shows up in a variant form.

Scientists from around the world have confirmed since 2007 people carrying the FTO gene variants are more susceptible to obesity.

According to Chai, recent studies have suggested a higher risk of obesity caused by FTO variants in humans through increased food intake and reduced satiety.

A study in 2007 offered an easier way to grasp the connection between the gene variant and obesity.

The study, conducted by a group of British scientists, showed adults who carry two copies of the FTO gene variant weighed on average 34 kilograms more than those who don't.

Chai said about 12.6 percent of Chinese possessed both copies of the "fat" gene variants, in contrast with 45 percent of Europeans, quoting a study conducted by a group of Taiwan researchers in 2008.

Despite the lower frequency in Chinese, he said "the effect of this FTO variant on body mass index is similar to what has been observed among Europeans."

In the paper, Chai and his colleagues described the crystal structure of the FTO protein, saying the structural study of the gene might "serve as a foundation for the rational design of FTO inhibitors."

"If successful, we will test the inhibitors on animals," Chai said.

"One thing is for sure, though: It will be a long way to go before obesity can be treated by targeting FTO, even if it turns out to be a valid target."

The prevalence of obesity has been increasing at an alarming speed in China over recent years.

A report posted on the Ministry of Science and Technology Website said China now had an obese population of more than 90 million, about 7 percent of the country's total population.

More than 200 million Chinese were overweight, the report said, adding that the obese population would exceed 200 million within 10 years.

Worldwide, about 2.3 billion adults are expected to be overweight by 2015 and more than 700 million obese, according to the World Health Organization.

Obesity is a huge health danger, raising the risk of diabetes, hypertension, cancer and premature death.

(Xinhua News Agency April 14, 2010)