Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Management of Eating Disorders and Obesity pp 105–118Cite as

Etiologies of Obesity

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

This chapter examines some of the evidence to date for the various etiologies of obesity. Table 1 provides an outline of the chapter and the major factors thought to contribute to the etiology of obesity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Chagnon YC, Rankinen T, Snyder EE, Weisnagel SJ, Perusse L, Bouchard C. The human obesity gene map: the 2002 update. Obes Res 2003; 11:313–367.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Friedman JM. A war on obesity, not the obese. Science 2003; 299:856–858.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sims EA, Danforth E Jr, Horton ES, Bray GA, Glennon JA, Salans LB. Endocrine and metabolic effects of experimental obesity in man. Recent Prog Horm Res 1973; 29:457–496

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dhurandhar NV. Infectobesity: obesity of infectious origin. J Nutr 2001; 131:2794S–2797S.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Dhurandhar NV, Israel BA, Kolesar JM, Mayhew GF, Cook ME, Atkinson RL. Increased adiposity in animals due to a human virus. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000; 24:989–996.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dhurandhar NV, Whigham LD, Abbott DH, et al. Human adenovirus Ad-36 promotes weight gain in male rhesus and marmoset monkeys. J Nutr 2002; 132:3155–3160.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Coleman DL. Obese and diabetes: two mutant genes causing diabetes-obesity in mice. Diabetologia 1979; 14:141–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Coleman DL. Genetics of obesity in rodents. In: Bray GA, ed. Recent Advances in Obesity Research: II. Newman Publishing, London, UK, 1978, pp. 142–152.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Coleman DL. Effects of parabiosis of obese with diabetes and normal mice. Diabetologia 1973; 9: 294–298.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Zhang Y, Proenca R, Maffei M, Barone M, Leopold L, Friedman RM. Positional cloning of the mouse obese gene and its human homologue. Nature 1994; 372:425–431.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Pelleymounter MA, Cullen MJ, Baker MB, et al. Effects of the obese gene product on body weight regulation in ob/ob mice. Science 1995; 269:540–543.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Halaas JL, Gajiwala KS, Maffei M, et al. Weight-reducing effects of the plasma protein encoded by the obese gene. Science 1995; 269:543–546.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Campfield LA, Smith FJ, Guisez Y, Devos R, Burn P. Recombinant mouse OB protein: evidence for a peripheral signal linking adiposity and central neural networks. Science 1995; 269: 546–549.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Montague CT, Farooqi IS, Whitehead JP, et al. Congenital leptin deficiency is associated with severe early-onset obesity in humans. Nature 1997; 387:903–908.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Strobel A, Issad T, Camoin L, Ozata M, Strosberg AD. A leptin missense mutation associated with hypogonadism and morbid obesity. Nature Genet 1998; 18:213–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Farooqi IS, Matarese G, Lord GM, et al. Beneficial effects of leptin on obesity, Tcell hyporesponsiveness, and neuroendocrine/metabolic dysfunction of human congenital leptin deficiency. J Clin Invest 2002; 110: 1093–1103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Clement K, Vaisse C, Lahlou N, et al. A mutation in the human leptin receptor gene causes obesity and pituitary dysfunction. Nature 1998; 392:398–401.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Clement K, Vega N, Laville M, et al. Adipose tissue gene expression in patients with a loss of function mutation in the leptin receptor. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002; 26:1533–1538.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Considine RV, Sinha MK, Heiman ML, et al. Serum immunoreactive-leptin concentrations in normal-weight and obese humans. N Engl J Med 1996; 334:292–295.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bray GA, WT Dahms, RS Swerdloff, RH Fiser, RL Atkinson, RE Carrel. The Prader-Willi syndrome: a study of 40 patients and a review of the literature. Medicine 1983; 62:59–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bouchard C, Snyder EE. Obesity Gene Map. Website: (http://obesitygene.pbrc.edu).

  22. Schousboe K, Willemsen G, Kyvik KO, et al. Sex differences in heritability of BMI: a comparative study of results from twin studies in eight countries. Twin Res 2003;6: 409–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Stunkard A, Sorensen TIA, Hanis C, et al. An adoption study of human obesity. N Engl J Med 1986; 314:193–198.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Allison DB, Kaprio J, Korkeila M, Koskenvuo M, Neale MC, Hayakawa K. The heritability of body mass index among an international sample of monozygotic twins reared apart. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1996; 20: 501–506.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Bouchard C, Tremblay A, Despres JP, et al. The response to long-term overfeeding in identical twins. N Engl J Med 1990;24;322:1477–1482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Bogardus C, Lillioja S, Ravussin E, et al. Familial dependence of the resting metabolic rate. N Eng J Med 1986; 315:96–100.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Fleury C, Neverova M, Collins S, et al. Uncoupling protein-2: a novel gene linked to obesity and hyperinsulinemia. Nature Genetics 1997; 15:269–272.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Dalgaard LT, Pedersen O. Uncoupling proteins: functional characteristics and role in the pathogenesis of obesity and Type II diabetes. Diabetologia 2001; 44:946–965.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Ravelli GP, Stein ZA, Susser MW. Obesity in young men after famine exposure in utero and early infancy. New England Journal of Medicine 1976; 295: 349–353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Rogers I; EURO-BLCS Study Group. The influence of birthweight and intrauterine environment on adiposity and fat distribution in later life. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2003; 27:755–777.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Catalano PM, Kirwan JP, Haugel-de Mouzon S, King J. Gestational diabetes and insulin resistance: role in short-and long-term implications for mother and fetus. J Nutr 2003; 133: 1674S–1683S.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Gillman MW, Rifas-Shiman S, Berkey CS, Field AE, Colditz GA. Maternal gestational diabetes, birth weight, and adolescent obesity. Pediatrics 2003; 111:e221–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Oh W, Gelardi NL, Cha CJ. The cross-generation effect of neonatal macrosomia in rat pups of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Pediatr Res 1991; 29:606–610.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Dumesic DA, Abbott DH, Eisner JR, Goy RW. Prenatal exposure of female rhesus monkeys to testosterone propionate increases serum luteinizing hormone levels in adulthood. Fertil Steril 1997; 67:155–163.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Eisner JR, Dumesic DA, Kemnitz JW, Colman RJ, Abbott DH. Increased adiposity in female rhesus monkeys exposed to androgen excess during early gestation. Obes Res 2003; 11:279–286.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Martorell R, Stein AD, Schroeder DG. Early nutrition and later adiposity. J Nutr 2001; 131: 874S–880S.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Plagemann A, Heidrich I, Gotz F, Rohde W, Dorner G. Obesity and enhanced diabetes and cardiovascular risk in adult rats due to early postnatal overfeeding. Exp Clin Endocrinol 1992; 99:154–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Rolls BJ, Kim-Harris S, Fischman MW, Foltin RW, Moran TH, Stoner SA. Satiety after preloads with different amounts of fat and carbohydrate: implications for obesity. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994; 60:476–487.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Tremblay A, St-Pierre S. The hyperphagic effect of a high-fat diet and alcohol intake persists after control for energy density. Am J Clin Nutr 1996; 63:479–482.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. West DB, Boozer CN, Moody DL, Atkinson RL. Dietary obesity in nine inbred mouse strains. Am J Physiol 1992; 262:R1025–R1032.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Rissanen A, Hakala P, Lissner L, Mattlar CE, Koskenvuo M, Ronnemaa T. Acquired preference especially for dietary fat and obesity: a study of weight-discordant monozygotic twin pairs. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002; 26:973–977.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Ravussin E, Smith SR. Increased fat intake, impaired fat oxidation, and failure of fat cell proliferation result in ectopic fat storage, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2002; 967: 363–378.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Jequier E. Thermogenesis induced by nutrient administration in man. Infusionsther Klin Ernahr 1984; 11:184–188.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Flatt JP. Effect of carbohydrate and fat intake on postprandial substrate oxidation and storage. Top Clin Nutr 1987; 2:15–27

    Google Scholar 

  45. Flatt JP, Ravussin E, Acheson KJ, Jequier E. Effects of dietary fat on postprandial substrate oxidation and on carbohydrate and fat balances. J Clin Invest 1985; 76:1019–1024.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Horton TJ, Drougas H, Brachey A, Reed GW, Peters JC, Hill JO. Fat and carbohydrate overfeeding in humans: different effects on energy storage. Am J Clin Nutr 1995; 62:19–29.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Boozer CN, Schoenbach G, Atkinson RL. Dietary fat and adiposity: a dose-response relationship in adult rats fed isocalorically. Am J Physiol 1995; 268:E546–550.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Danforth E, Jr. Diet and obesity. Am J Clin Nutr 1985; 41:1132–1145.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Lissner L, Levitsky DA, Strupp BJ et al. Dietary fat and the regulation of energy intake in human subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;46:886–892.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Prewitt TE, Schmeisser D, Brown PE, et al. Changes in body weight, body composition, and energy intake in women fed high-and low-fat diets. Am J Clin Nutr 1991, 54:304–310.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Bray GA, Popkin BM. Dietary fat affects obesity rate. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70:572–573.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Willett WC. Dietary fat and obesity: an unconvincing relation. Am J Clin Nutr 1998; 68:1149–1150.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Prentice AM, Jebb SA. Obesity in Britain: gluttony or sloth? BMJ 1995; 311:437–439.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Zurlo F, Ferraro RT, Fontvieille AM, Rising R, Bogardus C, Ravussin E. Spontaneous physical activity and obesity: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in Pima Indians. Am J Physiol 1992; 263: E296–E300.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Levine JA, Schleusner SJ, Jensen MD. Energy expenditure of nonexercise activity. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 72:1451–1454.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Epstein LH, Valoski AM, Vara LS, et al. Effects of decreasing sedentary behavior and increasing activity on weight change in obese children. Health Psychol 1995; 14:109–115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Gortmaker SL, Must A, Sobol AM, Peterson K, Colditz GA, Dietz WH. Television viewing as a cause of increasing obesity among children in the United States, 1986-1990. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1996; 150:356–362.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Robinson TN. Television viewing and childhood obesity. Pediatr Clin North Am 2001; 48:1017–1025.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Barr GS, Osborne J. Weight gain in children following tonsillectomy. J Laryngol Otol 1988; 102: 595–597.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Camilleri AE, MacKenzie K, Gatehouse S. The effect of recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillectomy on growth in childhood. Clin Otolaryngol 1995; 20:153–157.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Bray GA. Syndromes of hypothalamic obesity in man. Ped Annals 1984; 13:525–536.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Keesey RE; Powley TL. The regulation of body weight. Ann Rev Psychol 1986; 37: 109–133.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Lyons MJ, Faust IM, Hemmes RB, Buskirk DR, Hirsch J, Zabriskie JB. A virally induced obesity syndrome in mice. Science 1982; 216:82–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Carter JK, Ow CL, Smith RE. Rous-Associated virus type 7 induces a syndrome in chickens characterized by stunting and obesity. Infect Immun 1983; 39:410–422.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Kim YS, Carp RI, Callahan SM, Wisniewski HM. Scrapie-induced obesity in mice. J Infect Dis 1987; 156:402–405.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Gosztonyi G and Ludwig H. Borna disease: neuropathology and pathogenesis. Cur Topics in Microbiol Immunol 1995; 190:39–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Dhurandhar NV, Kulkarni PR, Ajinkya SM, Sherikar AA. Effect of adenovirus infection on adiposity in chickens. Veterinary Microbiol 1992; 31:101–107.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Dhurandhar NV, Kulkarni PR, Ajinkya SM, Sherikar AA, Atkinson RL. Association of adenovirus infection with human obesity. Obes Res 1997; 5:464–469.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Atkinson RL, Dhurandhar NV, Allison DB, Bowen RL, Israel BA, Albu JB, Augustus AS. Human adenovirus-36 is associated with increased body weight and paradoxical reduction of serum lipids. Int J Obesity, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Keesey RE. A set point analysis of the regulation of body weight. In: AJ Stunkard, ed. Obesity. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 1980, pp. 144–165.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Harris RBS. Role of set-point theory in regulation of body weight. FASEB J 1990; 4:3310–3318.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Atkinson RL. Use of drugs in the treatment of obesity. Ann Rev Nutr 1997; 17:383–403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Atkinson RL. Obesity surgery as a model for understanding the regulation of food intake and body weight. Am J Clin Nutr 1997; 66:184–185.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obtech Inc., Richmond, VA

    Richard L. Atkinson MD

  2. Obesity Institute, MedStar Research Institute, Washington, DC

    Richard L. Atkinson MD

Authors
  1. Richard L. Atkinson MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine and PRN Consulting, Indianapolis, IN

    David J. Goldstein MD, PhD

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Humana Press Inc.,Totowa,NJ

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Atkinson, R.L. (2005). Etiologies of Obesity. In: Goldstein, D.J. (eds) The Management of Eating Disorders and Obesity. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-865-X:105

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-865-X:105

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-341-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-865-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation