Mechanism of Weight Regulation

Body weight is regulated both by expenditure and intake of food. Variations in energy expenditure antagonize the effects of changes in food intake on weight. Long-term fasting results in a decrease in energy expenditure. Energy expenditure is continuous and intake is organized discontinuously, a set of predetermined circadian and circannual rhythms are thought to influence the weight regulation.

Adipocytes are the energy storage house of the body and they modulate the hormonal and metabolic signal of information related to storage and expenditure of energy. The food intake determines the lipolytic effect; greater the spontaneous lipolysis, the greater the antilipolytic responsiveness and such an antilipolytic effect obviously results in energy sparing and, eventually, a defense against changes in weight.

The prevailing conditions of energy expenditure and availability of food determines the course of weight regulation, and the chances of becoming obese are driven by the genetic sensitivity to pleasure.

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Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 24, 2012