Factors influencing body weight regulation

As obesity is a major health problem for both the adult and adolescent populations of the United States there is an increasing need to understand basic mechanisms that control the body weight of an individual. Body fat content in adults is determined by energy balance status which is influenced by both food intake and energy expenditure. Current evidence suggests a dominant role for control of intake although chronic exercise and genetic factors will influence body composition. The hypothalamus appears to be the brain area responsible for determining food selection and intake although it is not yet clear how central mechanisms modulate peripheral feeding and satiety responses.