Method of modulating appetite and/or body weight in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a MIC-1 modulating agent. The agent is selected from (i) MIC-1 inhibiting agents which decrease the amount of endogenous MIC-1 in the subject, (ii) MIC-1 inhibiting agents which inhibit the activity of endogenous MIC-1 in the subject, (iii) MIC-1 enhancing agents which enhance the amount of endogenous MIC-1 in the subject, and (iv) MIC-1 enhancing agents which enhance the activity of endogenous MIC-1 in the subject.