CRC OBESITY PDF

Preface

The spread of obesity has been declared a worldwide epidemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, a new term, globesity, has been coined to describe the recent upsurge of overweight and obesity throughout the world's population. How severe is the problem? According to WHO, more than 1 billion adults are overweight and at least 315 million are clinically obese. To make matters worse, the International Obesity Task Force estimates that 22 million of the world's children under age of 5 are overweight or obese [1–4]. In addition to type 2 diabetes, obesity has also been linked to other broad-spectrum, degenerative diseases, including other metabolic disorders and certain forms of cancer. Among the children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, 85% are obese [2]. It has been reported that 80% of type 2 diabetes, 70% of cardiovascular diseases, and 42% of breast and colon cancers are related to obesity [1,2]. Obesity is the major factor behind 30% of gallbladder perturbations leading to surgery and 26% of incidences of high blood pressure.

The unfortunate outcome of globesity has generated an unlimited array of weight-loss strategies [1,2]. Products and programs that induce rapid weight loss and disturb metabolic homeostasis dominate the focus of marketers and consumers alike; however, rapid weight loss is potentially unhealthy and frequently induces undesirable rebound weight gain consequences. In addition, many anti-obesity pharmaceuticals are accompanied by adverse reactions, making the cure worse than the disorder itself; thus, it is very important to develop a strategic therapeutic intervention using safe, novel, natural supplements supported by credible research. This book, intended for practicing medical professionals, clinical nutritionists, dietitians, and researchers, addresses many issues relevant to obesity: the molecular mechanisms and pathophysiology leading to obesity and metabolic disorders, the safety of obesity drugs, drug development strategies, the influences of physical activity and nutrition, and the benefits of research-supported nutraceutical supplements.

The forty-one chapters in this book have been written by experts in their fields. A world-renowned nutritionist and a health professional have provided a world overview of the epidemiology of obesity in the first part. Part II demonstrates the pathophysiology of obesity and correlates obesity with environmental estrogens, endocrine disruption, inflammatory responses, tobacco, disordered eating, and neurobiology and neurotransmitters. The significance of the hunger hormone ghrelin, leptin, and the molecular genetics of obesity syndrome are discussed in subsequent chapters. Part III correlates obesity with diverse degenerative diseases, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Dr. Olivier Boss, a lead researcher on adipose drug targets, addresses new concepts in obesity drug development in Part IV. Pennington Biomedical Research Center scientists discuss the safety of obesity drugs in Part V, and Part VI summarizes natural, nutritional, and physical approaches to weight management. The roles of physical activity, healthy dietary approaches, gender effects, and caloric restriction are thoroughly explored, and this part also provides a thorough discussion of carbohydrate blockers, polyphenolic compounds, trivalent chromium, Garcinia cambogia , (–)-hydroxycitric acid, Citrus aurantium , Caralluma fimbriata , Phaseolus vulgaris , α -amylase inhibition, conjugated linoleic acid, tea, chitosan, glucomannan, marine lipids, calcium and dairy products, and medium-chain triglycerides. Also included is a chapter on the Atkins paradigm, a chapter on the banned weight-loss supplement ephedra (which ruled the market for at least a decade), and, finally, a chapter offering the reflections of a practicing dietitian regarding weight-loss supplements. Part VII examines the complicated problem of childhood obesity, including metabolic acidosis, and provides an intervention strategy. Part VIII demonstrates how bariatric surgery can help in weight management and reversing metabolic disorders.

Finally, we extend our special thanks to all the authors for their invaluable contributions.