Implications of the biology of weight regulation and obesity on the treatment of obesity.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this article are to provide a brief review of the complex biology of weight regulation and obesity, to explain some of the effects of diet and exercise on the biology of weight regulation and obesity, and to propose a coherent way to assess and treat people related to weight and obesity.


METHODS
Scientific publications, clinical guidelines, and government sources.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is a complex problem requiring an understanding of how interventions interact with the biology of weight regulation in people who are obese. Promoting health in obese people requires a focus on improving insulin sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Helping individuals maintain normal weight throughout life is important in order to keep the long- and short-term weight signals in balance and reflective of true energy requirements. Exercise is associated with loss of total and abdominal adipose tissue and improved insulin sensitivity. Diets inducing gradual weight loss are less likely to stimulate appetite. Diets should include antioxidants to neutralize the increase in free radical production associated with obesity and exercise. Other interventions in the treatment of obesity may include treating sleep deficits and the dysregulated endocannabinoid system.
Bellar
Ann
A
College of Nursing, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. ae9724@wayne.edu
Jarosz
Patricia A
PA
Bellar
David
D
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*
D000975:Antioxidants