title: Future directions in weight control. Molecular and genetic discoveries pave the way.
abstract: Obesity is the result of a long-standing imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, aided by a complex biologic system that regulates appetite and favors intake. New knowledge about substances that stimulate or inhibit appetite offers hope that drug-based solutions will be found for the current high prevalence of obesity in the United States. In this article, Dr Bessesen highlights some of the new molecular and genetic discoveries related to obesity and outlines the hypothalamic neural pathways involved in regulating food intake.
authors.affiliation: Denver Health Medical Center, Mail Code 4000, 777 Bannock St, Denver, CO 80204-4507, USA. daniel.bessesen@uchsc.edu
authors.forename: Daniel H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bessesen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D020738:Leptin