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Early origins of obesity: programming the appetite regulatory system
May 12, 2005An article in The Journal of Physiology presents important research showing that events before birth can permanently change patterns of appetite and fat deposition in child and adult life.
A collaborative effort headed by Prof I. C. McMillen, of the Centre for the Early Origins of Adult Health at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and Dr C. L. Adam of The Energy Balance and Obesity Division of the Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, is shedding new light on potential causes of child and adult obesity. This research forms part of an exciting new area of physiology, the early origins of adult disease, which is beginning to unravel some of the mechanisms by which events which occur during the development of an individual can permanently affect postnatal physiology.
This paper reviews evidence from a series of studies which have shown that there are robust associations between the prenatal experience and patterns of fat deposition and appetite regulation in postnatal life. Both epidemiological studies across large sectors of human populations in a large number of countries, and animal models in which the prenatal environment has been artificially manipulated, have shown that prenatal exposure to either an increased or decreased levels of nutrition before birth leads to an increased risk of obesity in postnatal life.
Building on the strong foundation of studies linking prenatal exposures to patterns of postnatal feeding behavior, these researchers have addressed the question, to what extent the fetus has a functional capacity for regulating its appetite. Dr McMillen and Dr Adam have been the first to demonstrate that the fetus possesses all the components of the appetite-regulating system before birth, and that increases in nutritional supply are able to regulate the expression of these components.
An up and coming researcher in this field and coauthor, Beverly Mühlh'¤usler, says: "The concept of a fetal appetite is a difficult and intriguing one. What our research suggests is that all the components of the system which we know regulates appetite in postnatal life are already there before birth and may be responding to signals of nutritional status. This, of course, raises the possibility that changes in the fetal environment can permanently change the way that this system develops and result in changes in feeding behaviour after the individual is born."
With child and adult obesity currently at epidemic proportions in both the developed and developing world, this research offers new and important insights into the causes of this complex disease.
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Building on the strong foundation of studies linking prenatal exposures to patterns of postnatal feeding behavior, these researchers have addressed the question, to what extent the fetus has a functional capacity for regulating its appetite. Dr McMillen and Dr Adam have been the first to demonstrate that the fetus possesses all the components of the appetite-regulating system before birth, and that increases in nutritional supply are able to regulate the expression of these components.
An up and coming researcher in this field and coauthor, Beverly Mühlh'¤usler, says: "The concept of a fetal appetite is a difficult and intriguing one. What our research suggests is that all the components of the system which we know regulates appetite in postnatal life are already there before birth and may be responding to signals of nutritional status. This, of course, raises the possibility that changes in the fetal environment can permanently change the way that this system develops and result in changes in feeding behaviour after the individual is born."
With child and adult obesity currently at epidemic proportions in both the developed and developing world, this research offers new and important insights into the causes of this complex disease.
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Obesity Current Events and Obesity News RSSPatient's weight not linked to success of fibroid surgery
Obese patients are no more likely to have post-operative complications than those of average weight when undergoing robotic surgery to remove uterine fibroids, according to a study at Henry Ford Hospital.
Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature.
Night Beat, Overtime and a Disrupted Sleep Pattern Can Harm Officers' Health
A police officer who works the night shift, typically from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., already is at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a good "night's" sleep.
Fat collections linked to decreased heart function
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Teens' mental health affects how long they stay in school, new study shows
Queen's University researcher Steven Lehrer has won a prestigious international award in recognition of his contributions to health economics.
Playing sport up to the end of pregnancy is healthy for the baby and the mother
Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the foetus.
Harvard nutrition expert offers family physician group no-cost alternative to funding from Coca-Cola
Leading Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) nutrition and health researcher Walter Willett, M.D., Dr. P.H., has written a letter to the President-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) offering an alternative to the organization's decision, announced in October, to accept a six-figure grant from the Coca-Cola Company to develop web content on beverages and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
New paper describes connections between Circadian and metabolic systems
A paper by University of Notre Dame biologist Giles Duffield and a team of researchers offers new insights into a gene that plays a key role in modulating the body's Circadian system and may also simultaneously modulate its metabolic system.
Aileron collaborates study in Nature: Stapled peptides inhibit Notch1 transcription factor
This research validates the potential for Stapled Peptides to modulate key intracellular biological targets, such as transcription factors, that have not been addressable with current small molecule or biologic drug modalities.
Worksite wellness programs may reduce employee absenteeism
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health researchers will present Nov. 11 on a range of topics at the American Public Health Association's annual meeting in Philadelphia, including a study that found reduced absenteeism among employees participating in a large-scale worksite wellness program.
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