Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Obesity

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective

In a study where individuals posing as strangers offered compliments and proposed casual sex to students, the responses differed significantly based on gender. Not a single woman accepted the proposal, while 70% of the men agreed. This outcome provides a useful scenario to explore through the lens of evolutionary psychology and social learning theory, highlighting the diverse perspectives on human sexual behaviors.
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Impact of Periconceptional and Gestational Vitamin D3 Restriction on Fetal Folliculogenesis and Anti-Mullerian Hormone Secretion Using Sheep as a Model.

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene·2024

Same author

Ecology-relevant bacteria drive the evolution of host antimicrobial peptides in <i>Drosophila</i>.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2023

Same author

<i>Drosophila</i> immunity: the <i>Drosocin</i> gene encodes two host defence peptides with pathogen-specific roles.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2022

Same author

<i>Drosophila</i> Antimicrobial Peptides and Lysozymes Regulate Gut Microbiota Composition and Abundance.

mBio·2021

Same author

DOHaD - the challenge of translating the science to policy.

Journal of developmental origins of health and disease·2019

Same author

X chromosome drive in a widespread Palearctic woodland fly, Drosophila testacea.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

Developmental and epigenetic pathways to obesity: an evolutionary-developmental perspective.

P D Gluckman¹, M A Hanson

¹Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. pd.gluckman@auckland.ac.nz

International Journal of Obesity (2005)

|January 13, 2009

Summary

Developmental plasticity, including epigenetic changes, influences obesity risk by altering how the body responds to obesogenic environments. Early life interventions targeting these developmental pathways offer potential for obesity prevention.

More Related Videos

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Mechanism of Regulation of Adipocyte Numbers in Adult Organisms Through Differentiation and Apoptosis Homeostasis

Published on: June 3, 2016

Area of Science:

Developmental biology
Epigenetics
Obesity research

Background:

Individual lifestyle and genotype influence obesity risk.
Developmental plasticity, mediated by epigenetic processes, also contributes to obesity risk.
These developmental pathways alter future obesity susceptibility rather than directly causing obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of developmental plasticity and epigenetic processes in obesity risk.
To understand how early life environments impact long-term obesity susceptibility.
To identify potential points for preventative interventions in early life.

Main Methods:

Review of evidence on developmental pathways influencing obesity risk.
Examination of the 'mismatch pathway' involving adaptive responses to predicted environments.
Analysis of factors like prenatal nutrition, stress, maternal conditions, and infant feeding.

Main Results:

The 'mismatch pathway' involves adaptive developmental changes increasing sensitivity to obesogenic environments.
Prenatal undernutrition or stress can cue this pathway, leading to altered trajectories.
Maternal diabetes, obesity, and infant overfeeding are linked to increased later obesity risk.

Conclusions:

Developmental pathways, particularly the mismatch pathway, significantly influence obesity risk.
Epigenetic mechanisms are key mediators of these developmental effects.
Early life presents a critical window for interventions to prevent obesity.