Body Weight Regulation

Review
In: Endotext [Internet]. South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
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Excerpt

Body weight reflects the chronic balance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The pathophysiology of weight loss and gain is complex with genetic, physiological, and environmental factors contributing to a person’s ability to maintain, lose or gain weight. The inability for the body to counteract chronic caloric surplus leads to overweight and obesity. Among U.S. adults, overweight and obesity has dramatically increased over the last 60 years and, particularly within the past decade and more recently as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The prevalence of children with obesity has also continued to rise, which is a major health concern for future generations. The objective of this chapter is to review of the current state of obesity in the United States, discuss mechanisms of body regulation in humans, and present key factors that may be contributing to its global epidemic. For complete coverage of all related areas of Endocrinology, please visit our on-line FREE web-text, WWW.ENDOTEXT.ORG.

Publication types

  • Review