The obesity epidemic: from the environment to epigenetics - not simply a response to dietary manipulation in a thermoneutral environment.

ABSTRACT: The prevalence of obesity continues to increase particularly in developed countries. To establish the primary mechanisms involved, relevant animal models which track the developmental pathway to obesity are required. This need is emphasized by the substantial rise in the number of overweight and obese children, of which a majority will remain obese through adulthood. The past half century has been accompanied with unprecedented transitions in our lifestyle. Each of these changes substantially contributes to enhancing our capacity to store energy into adipose tissues. The complex etiology of adiposity is critical as a majority of models investigating obesity utilize a simplistic high-fat/low-carbohydrate diet, fed over a short time period to comparatively young inbred animals maintained in

SUBMITTER: Symonds ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3268579 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature