Neuroendocrinological aspects of obesity

Olaf Adam, Yvonne Braun, Florian Lippl, München

Long-term results of weight reduction programs are disappointing, as only about 10 % of the participants ultimately keep the desired weight. Obesity and its consequences cause immense costs and have become the greatest challenge for public health systems.

This is why research in the past decades has focused on this field of nutritional therapy. It has become clear that low physical activity, unfavourable eating behaviour, and psychosocial aspects make up only one part of the complex aetiology of obesity. Neuroendocrine factors are just as important, as they effectively regulate appetite and satiety. Obesity can disturb the regulation of appetite and satiety at different levels. Therapeutic approaches emerging from this research can help to improve the outcome of the treatment and prophylaxis of obesity.

Keywords: regulation of hunger and satiety, weight reduction programmes, leptin, neuropeptides, orexins, satiety signals

Sie finden den Artikel in deutscher Sprache in Ernährungs Umschau 11/08 ab Seite 648.