title: [Obesity is not a character weakness. Leptin and twin research show: fat control is genetically regulated].
abstract: The results of recent research have confirmed the leptin control system. Leptin is produced in fatty tissue, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and signals repletion of fat stores. This in turn triggers a reduction in food intake and an increase in energy expenditure. While neuropeptide Y is known to play a central nervous mediator role, it is not certain whether leptin plays a marginal or a main role in the energy balance. Of at least equal, and possibly even greater practical/clinical importance are the results of research on the family and twins. For these reveal a tendency for weight increase and abdominal storage of fat and increased intake of calories to have a strong genetic link. The conclusions are a lowering of the expectations placed in reduction dieting, and an increase in efforts aimed at prevention.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ritter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D002605:Character; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D051381:Rats; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin