The present invention provides methods and compositions for the induction of expression of UCP1 independent of lipid accumulation. The invention, in particular, features methods for converting FGF receptive cells, e.g., preadipocyte cells, into energy consuming cells through FGF-mediated UCP1 expression. The invention further provides methods and compositions for treating metabolic disorders with an FGF receptor agonist, (e.g., an FGF protein, or fragment thereof, a nucleic acid encoding an FGF protein, an FGF mimetic, an anti-FGF receptor agonist antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof), or a cell contacted with an FGF receptor agonist, including FGF6.
