Future directions in weight control

PREVIEW

Obesity is the result of a long-standing imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, aided by a complex biologic system that regulates appetite and favors intake. New knowledge about substances that stimulate or inhibit appetite offers hope that drug-based solutions will be found for the current high prevalence of obesity in the United States. In this article, Dr Bessesen highlights some of the new molecular and genetic discoveries related to obesity and outlines the hypothalamic neural pathways involved in regulating food intake.