The great Shaw Prize, also known as the Noble Prize of the east was awarded this Tuesday to two scientists whose work challenges the fact that lack of willpower is the primary cause for obesity. The organizers of the award said this one million dollar Shaw Prize would be shared between Douglas Coleman and Jeffrey Friedman of United States.

These scientists were given the coveted award as an acknowledgment for their separate research that was the key to the discovery of leptin, an important hormone that influences food intake and bodyweight.

This discovery has challenged rather controversial theory that obesity is caused by the lack of willpower by providing some genetic explanation. The scientist have now proposed an acceptable proof to deny the fact that willpower can cause obesity and also added that obesity is caused mainly due to chemical reactions inside our body.