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The utility of animal models of human energy homeostasis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Louise Thibault ,
Stephen C. Woods  and
Margriet S. Westerterp-Plantenga
Louise Thibault*
Affiliation:
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21 111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Quebec, Canada
Stephen C. Woods
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Box 670559, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH 45267, USA
Margriet S. Westerterp-Plantenga
Affiliation:
Department of Human Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Louise Thibault, fax +1 514 398 7739, email louise.thibault@mcgill.ea
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Abstract

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The prevalence of obesity among adults and children has increased steadily over the last few years worldwide, reaching epidemic proportions. Particularly alarming is the link between obesity and the development of chronic disorders such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and some cancers (Bjorntorp, 1997). Environmental causes of obesity are thought to include a sedentary lifestyle and an abundance of highly palatable energy-dense foods (Hill et al. 2003). Genetic factors also contribute to susceptibility to obesity, although the genetic basis of most human obesities is thought to be polygenic (Comuzzie & Allison, 1998; Barsh et al. 2000). The present paper considers some of the animal models used to infer aspects of human obesity, with an emphasis upon their usefulness.

Keywords

Animal modelsEnergy metabolismEnergy homeostasis
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 92 , Issue S1 , August 2004 , pp. S41 - S45
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

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