Treatments for obesity have largely relied on suppressing appetite, but the scientists believe a better approach could be to ensure more energy is expended than is stored as fat.

Chewing over theories for weight gain

Earlier studies by the team have shown that it was possible to breed special strains of mice with high metabolic rates.

The mice also showed differences in food intake, physical activity, and in ability to assimilate food.

Project leader, Professor John Speakman, said: "Even when we are at rest and not actively exercising, our bodies are burning up calories.

"This resting metabolic rate varies enormously between individuals and there is some evidence to suggest a link between low resting metabolic rate and obesity.

"Eating is a major social pastime, so treatments aimed at reducing intake either by suppressing appetite or making food less digestible are not likely to be as effective as treatments that alter metabolic rate.

"If we could identify the genes which influence how efficiently food is processed and metabolised it could have significant impact on the future development of treatments for obesity."

Similar genes

Prof Speakman said the aim was to identify mouse genes known to be linked to the development of obesity and which provide potential targets for new treatments.

The next step would be to find similar genes in humans.

The scientists have received a �350,000 grant from the Wellcome Trust to carry out the research.

Scientists from the university recently announced their involvement in a collaborative project aimed at coming up with solutions to obesity.

The university, the Rowett Research Institute and Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust formed Acero, the Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity.

Studies have suggested that more than 40% of the UK's population is currently overweight or obese.