scholarly journals Energy balance and weight regulation: genetics versus environment

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (S1) ◽  
pp. S17-S20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Ravussin ◽  
Clifton Bogardus
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Genetic Factors ◽  
Weight Regulation ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Pima Indians ◽  
Successful Therapy ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Spontaneous Physical Activity

The prevalence of obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in many industrialized countries. There is growing evidence that, even if the trigger of this epidemic is found in changes in the environment, genes are interacting with the environment to cause weight gain. Studies of twins reared apart indicate that approximately two-thirds of the variability in BMI is attributed to genetic factors. From prospective studies in Pima Indians we can ascribe 12 % of the variability in BMI to metabolic rate, 5 % to fat oxidation, and another probable 10 % to the level of spontaneous physical activity. These data indicate that at least 40 % of the variability in BMI is related to genetic factors involved in the regulation of food intake and/or volitional activity. This indicates that the most likely successful therapy for obesity may target pathways of the regulation of food intake. Similarly, an environment favouring engagement in physical activity should be promoted.

scholarly journals Role of physical activity in preventing and treating obesity

2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
James O. Hill ◽  
Holly R. Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Optimal Level ◽  
Additional Research ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Moderate Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Intensity Physical Activity ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Maintain Weight Loss

There is an inverse relationship between physical activity and weight gain. However, additional research is needed to quantify the amount of physical activity required to prevent weight gain in different populations, improve the way we convey physical activity recommendations to the public, and help the individuals increase their physical activity. Although physical activity does not appear to contribute significantly to weight loss, it is critical for maintenance of weight loss. Available data are consistent in that 60–90 min/day of moderate-intensity physical activity is required to maintain a significant weight loss. Although there is agreement about the need for high levels of physical activity to maintain weight loss, there is a need for more research to understand why physical activity is critical for weight loss maintenance. Finally, additional research is needed to determine whether there is an optimal level of physical activity below which it is difficult for most people to achieve a balance between energy intake and expenditure at a healthy body weight. The increasing prevalence of obesity may reflect the fact that the majority of the population has fallen below such a level of physical activity.

scholarly journals Role of Physical Activity and Exercise in Treating Patients with Overweight and Obesity

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M Jakicic ◽  
Renee J Rogers ◽  
Kelliann K Davis ◽  
Katherine A Collins
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Dietary Modification ◽  
Weight Regulation ◽  
Body Weight Regulation ◽  
Lifestyle Behavior

Abstract BACKGROUND Overweight and obesity are significant public health concerns that are linked to numerous negative health consequences. Physical activity is an important lifestyle behavior that contributes to body weight regulation. CONTENT Physical activity is inversely associated with weight gain and the incidence of obesity. Physical activity also contributes to additional weight loss when coupled with dietary modification, and it can result in modest weight loss when not coupled with dietary modification. Moreover, physical activity is associated with improved long-term weight loss and prevention of weight gain following initial weight loss. Current evidence supports that physical activity should be moderate to vigorous in intensity to influence body weight regulation. There is also a growing body of evidence that physical activity can be accumulated throughout the day in shorter periods of time rather than being performed during a structured and longer period, and that physical activity performed in this manner can be important for body weight regulation. SUMMARY The literature supports the inclusion of physical activity as an important lifestyle behavior for regulating body weight. There are multiple intervention approaches that may be effective for enhancing physical activity engagement within the context of weight control.

scholarly journals Individual differences in physical activity are closely associated with changes in body weight in adult female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (3) ◽  
pp. R633-R642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elinor L. Sullivan ◽  
Frank H. Koegler ◽  
Judy L. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Rhesus Monkeys ◽  
Caloric Intake ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Female Rhesus ◽  
Measured Activity ◽  
Low Activity

The increased prevalence of overweight adults has serious health consequences. Epidemiological studies suggest an association between low activity and being overweight; however, few studies have objectively measured activity during a period of weight gain, so it is unknown whether low activity is a cause or consequence of being overweight. To determine whether individual differences in adult weight gain are linked to an individual’s activity level, we measured activity, via accelerometry, over a prolonged period (9 mo) in 18 adult female rhesus monkeys. Weight, food intake, metabolic rate, and activity were first monitored over a 3-mo period. During this period, there was mild but significant weight gain (5.5 ± 0.88%; t =−6.3, df = 17, P < 0.0001), whereas caloric intake and activity remained stable. Metabolic rate increased, as expected, with weight gain. Activity level correlated with weight gain ( r = −0.52, P = 0.04), and the most active monkeys gained less weight than the least active monkeys ( t = −2.74, df = 8, P = 0.03). Moreover, there was an eightfold difference in activity between the most and least active monkeys, and initial activity of each monkey was highly correlated with their activity after 9 mo ( r = 0.85, P < 0.0001). In contrast, food intake did not correlate with weight gain, and there was no difference in weight gain between monkeys with the highest vs. lowest caloric intake, total metabolic rate, or basal metabolic rate. We conclude that physical activity is a particularly important factor contributing to weight change in adulthood and that there are large, but stable, differences in physical activity among individuals.

Neuroregulation of nonexercise activity thermogenesis and obesity resistance

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. R699-R710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine M. Kotz ◽  
Jennifer A. Teske ◽  
Charles J. Billington
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Mechanistic Explanation ◽  
The Body ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Spontaneous Physical Activity

High levels of spontaneous physical activity in lean people and the nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) derived from that activity appear to protect lean people from obesity during caloric challenge, while obesity in humans is characterized by dramatically reduced spontaneous physical activity. We have similarly demonstrated that obesity-resistant rats have significantly greater spontaneous physical activity than obesity-prone rats, and that spontaneous physical activity predicts body weight gain. Although the energetic cost of activity varies between types of activity and may be regulated, individual level of spontaneous physical activity is important in determining propensity for obesity. We review the current status of knowledge about the brain mechanisms involved in controlling the level of spontaneous physical activity and the NEAT so generated. Focus is on potential neural mediators of spontaneous physical activity and NEAT, including orexin A (also known as hypocretin 1), agouti-related protein, ghrelin, and neuromedin U, in addition to brief mention of neuropeptide Y, corticotrophin releasing hormone, cholecystokinin, estrogen, leptin, and dopamine effects on spontaneous physical activity. We further review evidence that strain differences in orexin stimulation pathways for spontaneous physical activity and NEAT appear to track with the body weight phenotype, thus providing a potential mechanistic explanation for reduced activity and weight gain.

scholarly journals Weight Gain during Systemic Oncologic Therapy for Breast Cancer: Changes in Food Intake and Physical Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Aurélio Da Silva Ribeiro-Sousa ◽  
Isabelle Mastelaro ◽  
Fernanda Maris Peria ◽  
Hélio Angotti Carrara ◽  
Jurandyr Moreira de Andrade ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Physical Activity Level ◽  
Gastrointestinal Symptoms ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Oncologic Treatment ◽  
Oncologic Therapy

Introduction: Weight gain frequently occurs during treatment for breast cancer. Objective: To evaluate changes in dietary intake and physical activity in the weight evolution of women on systemic oncologic treatment for breast cancer. Method: The prospective and comparative study included 89 women submitted to systemic oncologic treatment for breast cancer, grouped according to the occurrence of weight gain in relation to body weight documented before beginning treatment. Patients were classified as 1) Group with weight gain (those with an increase in body weight greater than or equal to 2% over pre-treatment weight); 2) Group without weight gain (those who maintained or lost weight during treatment). We calculated body mass index (BMI) of patients and analyzed their body composition by bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Changes in food intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, and physical activity level, as well as reductions in muscle and fat mass, were documented. Results: Tumor staging (p=0.24), use of antineoplastic drugs (p=0.23) and intention of treatment (p=0.61) were no different between the weight gain group (n=36) and no weight gain group (n=53). No difference was found in anthropometric and BIA data between the groups during oncologic treatment. Frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms was not different between the groups. However, increased food intake and bed rest, and a decrease in physical activity level were more frequent among women who gained weight during therapy. Conclusions: Weight gain in women undergoing systemic oncologic therapy for breast cancer may be, at least in part, caused by higher energy intake and lower physical activity.

Spontaneous physical activity and obesity: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in Pima Indians

1992 ◽  
Vol 263 (2) ◽  
pp. E296-E300 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Zurlo ◽  
R. T. Ferraro ◽  
A. M. Fontvielle ◽  
R. Rising ◽  
C. Bogardus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Fat Mass ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Pima Indians ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Body Fatness ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Spontaneous Physical Activity ◽  
Microwave Sensors ◽  
Family Membership

Healthy, nondiabetic Pima Indians [103 males, 77 females; 27 +/- 6 (SD) yr, 97 +/- 25 kg, 33 +/- 9% body fat] were studied in a respiratory chamber in which spontaneous physical activity (SPA) was measured by two microwave sensors. SPA, defined as the percentage of time the subjects were active, varied widely from 4.4 to 17.5%. It was higher in males (9.3 +/- 2.0%) than in females (8.6 +/- 2.3%; P less than 0.05) and was not related to body fatness in either sex. However, SPA accounted for a significant portion of the daily energy expenditure (24-h EE) in males (1,389 +/- 423 kJ/day) and females (1,163 +/- 351 kJ/day) and correlated positively with 24-h EE adjusted for differences in fat-free mass, fat mass, age, and sex (r = 0.42, P less than 0.0001). In 88 siblings, family membership accounted for 57% of the variance in SPA (r(i) = 0.57, P less than 0.02). Body composition was reassessed in a subgroup of 123 subjects (65 males, 58 females) 33 +/- 14 mo later. In males only, SPA correlated inversely to the rate of subsequent body weight change (r = -0.25, P less than 0.05) and the rate of fat-mass change (r = -0.35, P less than 0.005). We conclude that spontaneous physical activity is a familial trait that may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity.

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