1.
Brown Adipose Crosstalk in Tissue Plasticity and Human Metabolism.
Scheele, C, Wolfrum, C
Endocrine reviews. 2020;41(1)
-
-
-
Free full text
-
Plain language summary
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is an important contributor to the regulation of metabolism via cellular communication with organs such as liver, muscle, gut and central nervous system. BAT is important for heat generation and is at high levels in human infants. Levels of activation of BAT decline as we age and it has been shown that the amount of BAT is smaller and its activity reduced in those with obesity and type 2 diabetes. To date, there is no answer to efficiently restore functional BAT in aging and obese subjects. This review looks at experiments done on the factors secreted from active BAT (batokines). The review aims to provide a structure for the processes and cell types involved in BAT and the recent findings of BAT whole-body communication are discussed. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that BAT has an adaptive capacity. Studying batokines, offers an alternative approach to identify novel drug targets for metabolic regulation.
Abstract
Infants rely on brown adipose tissue (BAT) as a primary source of thermogenesis. In some adult humans, residuals of brown adipose tissue are adjacent to the central nervous system and acute activation increases metabolic rate. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) recruitment occurs during cold acclimation and includes secretion of factors, known as batokines, which target several different cell types within BAT, and promote adipogenesis, angiogenesis, immune cell interactions, and neurite outgrowth. All these processes seem to act in concert to promote an adapted BAT. Recent studies have also provided exciting data on whole body metabolic regulation with a broad spectrum of mechanisms involving BAT crosstalk with liver, skeletal muscle, and gut as well as the central nervous system. These widespread interactions might reflect the property of BAT of switching between an active thermogenic state where energy is highly consumed and drained from the circulation, and the passive thermoneutral state, where energy consumption is turned off. (Endocrine Reviews 41: XXX - XXX, 2020).
2.
Locus of control and obesity.
Neymotin, F, Nemzer, LR
Frontiers in endocrinology. 2014;5:159
-
-
-
Free full text
Plain language summary
Obesity is a multifactorial disease, which makes it a complicated issue to address. In particular psychology and a concept know as locus of control plays a huge role. Locus of control refers to an individual’s ability to acknowledge that their environment and choices are under their control. However, whether this is a cause of obesity or mutually occurring is unclear. This review of 49 papers aimed to determine the relationship between obesity and locus of control. The authors discussed that the majority of literature agrees on a correlation between locus of control and obesity, however it is not straight forward as there is no set definition for locus of control. Whether locus of control causes obesity or obesity causes locus of control was also difficult to determine, but it was stated that locus of control is difficult to change. The mechanisms behind causation were discussed and stress hormones and hormones which make you feel full or hungry were implicated. It was concluded that there is a correlation between locus of control and obesity, however which one is causal, still needs more research. This paper could be used by healthcare practitioners to understand the important role that psychology plays in the development of obesity.
Abstract
In the developed world, the hazards associated with obesity have largely outstripped the risk of starvation. Obesity remains a difficult public health issue to address, due in large part to the many disciplines involved. A full understanding requires knowledge in the fields of genetics, endocrinology, psychology, sociology, economics, and public policy - among others. In this short review, which serves as an introduction to the Frontiers in Endocrinology research topic, we address one cross-disciplinary relationship: the interaction between the hunger/satiation neural circuitry, an individual's perceived locus of control, and the risk for obesity. Mammals have evolved a complex system for modulating energy intake. Overlaid on this, in humans, there exists a wide variation in "perceived locus of control" - that is, the extent to which an individual believes to be in charge of the events that affect them. Whether one has primarily an internal or external locus of control itself affects, and is affected by, external and physiological factors and has been correlated with the risk for obesity. Thus, the path from hunger and satiation to an individual's actual behavior may often be moderated by psychological factors, included among which is locus of control.
3.
Patients' and professionals' experiences and perspectives of obesity in health-care settings: a synthesis of current research.
Mold, F, Forbes, A
Health expectations : an international journal of public participation in health care and health policy. 2013;16(2):119-42
-
-
-
Free full text
-
Plain language summary
Obesity is a complex condition, and likely to be the result of a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, making it one of the most difficult and challenging health problems to manage. Obesity is often stigmatised, with obese people being subject to discrimination that could affect their access to therapies or the success of such therapies. This review looked at current research examining the experiences of both obese people and health‐care professionals. The authors reviewed a total of 30 studies. From the studies that explored patient experiences and perspectives, four themes emerged: i) ambivalence of health professionals towards patients’ needs leading to a sense of personal ambivalence for obese individuals in accessing and using services; ii) experience of weight-based stigma leading to feelings of powerlessness and humiliation; iii) negative experiences with health-care professionals leading to a reluctance to access services and/or engage in positive health behaviours; and iv) experiences of stigmatisation leading to poorer psychological health and negative behaviours. The studies that explored health professionals’ experiences and perspectives found differences in how professionals view obese patients that included ambivalence, and negative attitudes and beliefs towards overweight people. One study found that overweight and obese women were less likely to undergo routine cancer screening procedures such as cervical screening and mammograms. The studies presented in this review show that obesity has a strong social effect, not only on how obese individuals view themselves, but also on how they access and interact with health‐care providers. This can impact negatively on psycho‐emotional functioning, on the uptake of health care and on the experience of care of obese people. Given the rising levels of obesity, further work is essential to improve the health‐care provision for this population.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity-related stigma likely influences how obese people interact with health-care professionals and access health care. AIM: To undertake a synthesis of studies examining the views and experiences of both obese people in relation to their health-care provision and health-care professionals in providing care to obese patients. SEARCH STRATEGY A systematic search of key electronic databases relating to professional or patient experiences of, or perspectives on, obesity was performed in 2008 and updated in 2010. Reference lists of article bibliographies were searched, along with hand searches of relevant journals. INCLUSION CRITERIA Studies were screened against explicit inclusion criteria and published between 1990 and 2010. Findings were examined and organized thematically. DATA EXTRACTION Data were extracted focusing on obesity, stigma and access to health-care services. All included studies were subject to critical appraisal to assess the quality of the research. FINDINGS Thirty studies were identified. All the studies reported obesity impacting on health-care interactions. Key themes identified were experiences of stigma and feelings of powerlessness, treatment avoidance, psycho-emotional functioning, professional attitudes, confidence and training, variations in health contact time and finally, differences in treatment options and preventative measures. CONCLUSION Obesity is a stigmatized condition that impacts negatively on the relationship between patients and health-care providers. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity and the range of therapeutic options available, further work is necessary to understand how the presence of obesity affects health-care interactions and decision making.