Fetal and neonatal pathways to obesity
Peter D Gluckman1, Mark A Hanson, Alan S Beedle
1Centre for Human Evolution, Adaptation and Disease, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Frontiers of Hormone Research
|January 31, 2008
Summary
Evolutionary and developmental factors contribute to obesity by disrupting adaptive metabolic programming. Rapid environmental shifts can lead to metabolic diseases, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Metabolic disorders
Background:
- Obesity aetiology is complex, involving evolutionary and developmental influences.
- Adaptive metabolic programming can become maladaptive in rapidly changing environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore evolutionary and developmental pathways contributing to obesity.
- To understand how early environmental signals impact metabolic health.
Main Methods:
- Review of evolutionary and developmental mechanisms.
- Analysis of epigenetic influences on metabolic partitioning.
- Examination of fetal insulin levels and gestational diabetes impact.
Main Results:
- Two main pathways to obesity identified: 1) maladaptive metabolic programming due to environmental mismatch, and 2) altered fetal insulin levels.
- Early environmental signals, including feeding practices, influence long-term obesity risk.
- Epigenetic mechanisms mediate the effects of early signals on metabolism.
Conclusions:
- Obesity arises from evolutionary mismatches and developmental disruptions.
- Interventions for obesity should be personalized based on developmental pathways and target populations.
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