Plain language summary
Obesity in children and adults is increasingly becoming a serious health problem, particularly in Western countries. The precise biological mechanisms underlying the disease are not clear, and it is equally unclear why certain individuals are more predisposed than others. Research suggests that the perinatal conditions and periods of organ development may predispose individuals to obesity later in life. For example, maternal malnutrition, diabetes and/or obesity during pregnancy can increase susceptibility to obesity. The hypothalamus, the region of the brain associated with feeding and glucose homeostasis, develops primarily in utero and is thought to be influenced by hormones such as leptin, ghrelin and insulin that may indicate nutrient availability in the environment. Imbalances in these hormones therefore may have an impact on the developing hypothalamus, leading to abnormalities in appetite control and feeding. These hormones may also be involved in neural growth and development directly.
Abstract
Obesity in adults and children is increasingly becoming a major health problem worldwide. However, the precise biological mechanisms governing this disease have not been fully elucidated. Obesity involves the complex interaction of a wide range of environmental and genetic factors. Additionally, there is now a growing body of evidence suggesting that alterations in metabolic environment during important periods of organ development can predispose individuals to later development of obesity and diabetes. Maternal obesity or malnutrition during pregnancy increases the risk for metabolic disorders (including obesity) in the offspring. Similarly, early postnatal overnutrition also predisposes offspring to adult obesity. The hypothalamus appears to play an essential role in controlling appetite. It undergoes a tremendous growth beginning early in gestation and continuing during the postnatal period. These developmental windows represent periods of sensitivity for hypothalamic development during which alterations in the nutritional and/or hormonal environment may perturb hypothalamic development and subsequent function.
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