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Diet and Obesity (Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Nutritional Biochemistry)

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Metabolic Syndrome

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Abstract

The global prevalence of overweight and obesity as a public health concern is well established and reflects the overall worldwide lack of success in achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. The major concern is that overweight and obesity is associated with numerous comorbidities and is a risk factor for several of the leading causes of death, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and many types of cancer. These are for the large part preventable diseases. The cornerstone of therapy has been diet, exercise, and behavioral modification. Considering the plethora of existing diet programs and the global expansion of the obesity crisis, a conclusion can be drawn that no one diet has been universally successful at inducing and maintaining weight loss and improving metabolic parameters. This enigma provides some evidence as to the complexity of obesity and weight management. The achievement of a healthy body weight is far more complex than a simple reduction of caloric intake relative to energy expenditure. The factors affecting obesity are complicated, dynamic, and interrelated and involve numerous host factors as well as the environment. This chapter will review the physiological basis of scientifically validated weight loss diets, their effects on energy expenditure, body weight, body composition, and metabolic parameters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Brody School of Medicine and Department of Nutrition Science, East Carolina University, 600 Moye Blvd. Vidant MA 342 Mail Stop 734, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA

    Laura E. Matarese

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  1. Laura E. Matarese
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Correspondence to Laura E. Matarese .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

  2. Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

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Matarese, L.E. (2016). Diet and Obesity (Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Nutritional Biochemistry). In: Ahima, R.S. (eds) Metabolic Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11251-0_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11251-0_16

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