Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
26:41
Perspectives on Neuroscience
Published on: July 31, 2007
How much progress have we made over the last few decades?
1Human Genomics Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. Bouchac@pbrc.edu
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|January 13, 2009
Summary
This conference highlighted major advances in obesity research, covering topics from body composition to public policy. These insights are crucial for understanding and combating the global obesity epidemic.
Area of Science:
- Obesity research
- Nutrition science
- Preventive medicine
- Adipose tissue biology
- Genetics
- Bariatric surgery
- Public health policy
Background:
- The Pennington Biomedical Research Center's 20th anniversary marked a significant milestone in obesity research.
- The Center was founded with a mission to promote healthier lives through research and education in nutrition and preventive medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present key events and discoveries in obesity science.
- To provide insights into future research directions in the field.
- To cover 20 significant topics in obesity research.
Main Methods:
- A conference featuring prominent global obesity researchers.
- Review of advances in areas including obesity measurement, body composition, adipose tissue biology, genetics, bariatric surgery, and public policy.
- Analysis of publication trends from PubMed to reflect the growing importance of covered topics.
Main Results:
- Significant advances in understanding adipogenesis and body weight regulation (central and peripheral).
- Improved comprehension of health consequences associated with excess body weight.
- Insights into the challenges of weight loss and the scale of the worldwide obesity epidemic.
Conclusions:
- The conference underscored the substantial impact of research on understanding obesity.
- Advances in obesity science have critical implications for public health policy and individual well-being.
- Continued research is essential to address the global obesity epidemic effectively.
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
01:50Threats to Biodiversity
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
01:29Three Developmental Domains
Human development is typically examined across three main domains: physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional. These domains represent the significant areas of change and continuity throughout the lifespan, from infancy to late adulthood.
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
Physical Development
Physical processes, also known as maturation, encompass the biological changes that occur across an individual's life. These changes begin with genetic inheritance and continue through various stages, including growth in height and weight,...
01:27Introduction to Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology explores the changes and continuities in human abilities throughout life, encompassing physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social dimensions. Human development is not restricted to growth, but includes aspects of decline, particularly in physical abilities as individuals age. Developmental psychologists seek to understand how people change as they age and how their mental and social skills evolve.Developmental MilestonesA key concept in developmental psychology is...
01:52Regression Toward the Mean
Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...