Issues Related With Calorie Restriction for Prevention and Treatment of Obesity

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased in the US and worldwide over
the last 2 to 3 decades.1 Obesity is developed when lipids in the form of triacylglycerol are accumulated
in the adipose tissue. However, obesity is not only a problem of energy imbalance
since it is associated with changes of concentrations of circulating nutrients, metabolites, and
adipokines. These adipokines, a type of cytokines secreted from adipocytes, are involved in
regulation of satiety, inflammation, and other physiological functions.2 The increased levels
of certain metabolites and decreased levels of essential nutrients in obesity are related with
its complications as well. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart
disease (CHD), stroke, hypertension, and cancer, despite the fact as one of the major chronic
diseases worldwide. Recently, obesity has been defined as a medical condition by the American
Medical Association (AMA).