CLOCK gene is implicated in weight reduction in obese patients participating in a dietary programme based on the Mediterranean diet

Four of five genetic variations in the CLOCK gene were significantly associated with obesity measures and weight loss outcomes.

• The CLOCK gene variation rs1801260 was linked to obesity at baseline and influenced weight loss results.
• Patients with the G allele of rs1801260 lost significantly less weight compared to those without this variant (P=0.008).
• Weight loss progression over 28 weeks varied significantly between different rs1801260 CLOCK variations (P=0.038).
• Carriers of the G allele experienced greater difficulty in losing weight than non-carriers.
• A higher percentage of short-time sleepers (less than or equal to 6 hours per day) was observed in G allele carriers (59% vs 41%; P<0.05).
• CLOCK polymorphisms were associated with significant differences in total plasma cholesterol at the end of the dietary treatment (P<0.05).

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