ABSTRACT
The.prevalence.of.overweight.and.obesity.is.reaching.epidemic.proportions.in.many. industrialized.countries,.especially. the.United.States.1.Weight.gain. results. from.a. chronic.disruption.of.energy.balance,.such.that.energy.intake.persistently.exceeds. energy.expenditure..Although.the.pathogenesis.of.obesity.is.not.completely.understood,.in.most.cases.excessive.accumulation.of.fat.is.probably.due.to.the.interaction. between.genetic.factors.and.environmental.conditions,.such.that.changes.in.the.environment.operate.on.a.predisposing.genetic.milieu.to.cause.weight.gain.by.creating. an.energy.imbalance.between.intake.and.expenditure.2
