Understanding the Genetics and Neurobiology of Obesity: Theory and Clinical Application

摘要

Obesity is a big problem. In recent years, the increasing incidence of obesity in companion animal species, particularly dogs, cats, and horses, has attracted headlines. Near universally, the coverage in the popular and veterinary press has had a rather pejorative tone, blaming poor owner management for this increase. However, the scientific literature is increasingly focussed on the biology underlying obesity development and there is a great weight of evidence that obesity is perhaps best viewed asa complex homeostatic mechanism gone awry, influenced by genetics. In this lecture, I will review current understanding of obesity biology and I hope to reframe the owner-blaming culture around pet obesity such that clinical approaches can take variation in individuals' biology into account and improve outcomes for obese and at-risk patients.