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[Can obesity be an infectious disease?]
1Overviktsenheten, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset Huddinge. stephan.rossner@medhs.ki.se
Lakartidningen
|July 28, 2005
Summary
Obesity may stem from factors beyond simple energy imbalance, including viral infections or gut bacteria changes. This research explores alternative "infectobesity" causes, challenging traditional views on weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Microbiology
- Metabolic research
Context:
- Traditional obesity models focus on energy balance and thermodynamics.
- Emerging research suggests infectious or microbial factors may contribute to obesity.
- The concept of "infectobesity" warrants further investigation.
Purpose:
- To explore alternative etiological factors for obesity beyond energy balance.
- To introduce and define the concept of "infectobesity".
- To stimulate discussion on the role of infections and gut microbiota in obesity.
Summary:
- Obesity is commonly attributed to a sustained positive energy balance.
- Alternative hypotheses propose that viral infections or alterations in intestinal bacterial mass may play a role.
- This perspective is termed "infectobesity".
Impact:
- Broadens the understanding of obesity's complex origins.
- May lead to novel diagnostic or therapeutic strategies targeting microbial or infectious agents.
- Encourages interdisciplinary research into the gut-brain-obesity axis.