ABSTRACT
The growing prevalence of overweight and obesity and their role in the development of the most common chronic diseases remains an important public health crisis both in the United States and worldwide. The development of obesity involves a complex interaction of genetics, epigenetics, environmental factors, and signals that regulate energy homeostasis. Because of its close association with obesity, metabolic syndrome is also recognized in increasing numbers. Characterized by metabolic risk factors of abdominal adiposity, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and glucose dysregulation, metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The regulation of energy balance and body weight involves a dynamic interaction between the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral organs through neurohormonal mechanisms that act via afferent and efferent pathways between the two. Obesity involves the accumulation of excess adiposity over time through lipids (mostly triglycerides) and increase in volume of various organs.
