Two scientists share the one-million-dollar Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine for their surprising finding in the field of obesity.

Douglas Coleman and Jeffrey Friedman received the Hong Kong-based award for their separate research, which led to the discovery of leptin - a hormone that regulates food intake and body weight.

The identification of the hormone revealed that mutations in leptin receptors contribute to obesity in certain obese individuals.

"This discovery already shows that it is not a matter of willpower that is at the root of the problem of obesity, it is in fact a chemical process," said chairman of the Shaw Prize board Yang Chen-ning.

He added that the finding would help scientists develop more effective treatments for obesity and diabetes.

First awarded in 2004 under the auspices of Run Run Shaw -- a renowned Hong Kong film producer and philanthropist, the Shaw Prize aims to recognize significant scientific work in three fields - life science and medicine, mathematical sciences and astronomy.

PKH/HGH