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Obesity: A Chronic Disease
Obesity: A Chronic Disease

Obesity is impacted by genetic, environmental and physiological factors that affect a patient’s ability to achieve and sustain weight loss1-4

Obesity is impacted by genetic, environmental and physiological factors that affect a patient’s ability to achieve and sustain weight loss1-4

Actor portrayal

Genetic factors1

Genetic
factors1

Icon of DNA, representing the genetic factors that affect obesity
  • Influence an individual’s response to the external or environmental factors that can contribute to obesity1
  • Account for 40% to 70% of interindividual differences in BMI1

Environmental factors2,3

Map of a globe, representing the environmental factors that can affect obesity
  • Behaviors conducive to developing obesity can be influenced by societal and environmental factors, including cultural influences and socioeconomic status2,3

Physiological factors4

Icon of a knife and fork, representing the physiological factors that affect obesity, including the changes in appetite-regulating hormones that occur after weight loss
  • Hormonal adaptation that occurs after weight loss may result in increased signals for energy intake, due to changes in appetite-regulating hormones4

BMI-body mass index

Hormonal adaptation can affect long-term weight loss

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an appetite-regulating hormone. As a patient loses weight, GLP-1 decreases—resulting in an increase in hunger.4,5

References: 

  1. Hebebrand J, Hinney A, Knoll N, et al. Molecular genetic aspects of weight regulation. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2013;110(19):38-344.
  2. World Health Organization. Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic. Report of a WHO consultation. World Health Organ Tech Rep Ser. 2000;894:i-xiii, 1-253.
  3. Affenito SG, Franko DL, Striegel-Moore RH, Thompson D. Behavioral determinants of obesity: research findings and policy implications. J Obes. 2012;2012:1-4
  4. Sumithran P, Prendergast LA, Delbridge E, et al. Long-term persistence of hormonal adaptations to weight loss. N Engl J Med. 2011;365(17):1597-160.
  5. Drucker D. Mechanisms of action and therapeutic application of glucagon-like peptide-1. Cell Metabolism. 2018;27:740-756.