Disruptions in energy balance: Does nature overcome nurture?

Abstract

Fat accumulation, in general, is the result of a breakdown in the homeostatic regulation of energy balance. Although, the specific factors influencing the disruption of energy balance and why these factors affect individuals differently are not completely understood, numerous studies have identified multiple contributors. Environmental components influence food acquisition, eating, and lifestyle habits. However, the variability in obesity-related outcomes observed among individuals placed in similar controlled environments support the notion that genetic components also wield some control. Multiple genetic regions have been associated with measures related to energy balance; however, the replication of these genetic contributors to energy intake and energy expenditure in humans is relatively small perhaps because of the heterogeneity of human populations. Genetic tools such as genetic admixture account for individual's genetic background in gene association studies, reducing the confounding effect of population stratification, and promise to be a relevant tool on the identification of genetic contributions to energy balance, particularly among individuals of diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds. Although it has been recognized that genes are expressed according to environmental influences, the search toward the understanding of nature and nurture in obesity will require the detailed study of the effect of genes under diverse physiologic and behavioral environments. It is evident that more research is needed to elucidate the methodological and statistical issues that underlie the interactions between genes and environments in obesity and its related comorbidities.

Weight loss with liraglutide, a once‐daily human glucagon‐like peptide‐1 analogue for type 2 diabetes treatment as monotherapy or added to metformin, is primarily as a result of a reduction in fat tissue

“…The number of overweight and obese people is rising substantially as a result of high-calorie diets and increasingly sedentary lifestyles that have become common in modern society [1]. Obesity, in particular 'android obesity', characterized by abdominal-visceral fat accumulation [2], is associated with increased insulin resistance [3] and is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) [4].…”

Anti‐obesity effect of a standardised ethanol extract from Curcuma longa L. fermented with Aspergillus oryzae in ob/ob mice and primary mouse adipocytes

“…In addition, at least 155 million children worldwide were overweight or obese, according to the International Obesity Task Force 3. Perhaps the most remarkable public health concern is the increase in overweight and obese children and adolescents 4. Obesity leads to serious consequences: type‐2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, and cancer 5…”

Thylakoids suppress appetite by increasing cholecystokinin resulting in lower food intake and body weight in high‐fat fed mice

“…The reason for obesity is a dysregulated energy balance, energy intake and energy expenditure being unequal. In understanding the role of genes and environment it was found that the major impact was the environment (Fernandez et al, 2008;Papas et al, 2007). A relevant environmental factor is the ready availability of palatable energy-dense food containing fat and/or sucrose (Blundell et al, 2005;Lindqvist et al, 2005).…”