Abstract
The prevalence of overweight has substantially increased over the last decades despite the intent of health professionals and the general population to prevent this trend. Traditionally, this phenomenon has been attributed to unhealthy dietary macronutrient composition and/or to the decrease in physical activity participation. Beyond the influence of these factors, it is more than likely that other factors have influenced energy balance in a context of modernity. These include inadequate sleep, demanding cognitive effort, chemical pollution, and probably others which also have the potential to promote a positive energy balance but which are also part of the reality of success and productivity in a globalized world. As discussed in this paper, many individuals may become conflicted with themselves if they wish to prevent weight gain while influencing factors which are determinants of their socioeconomic success. In this regard, this paper reminds us of the contribution of adipose tissue gain in body homeostasis which is essential to permit energy balance, especially under lifestyle conditions promoting overfeeding. From a clinical standpoint, this imposes the consideration of a weight loss program as a search for compromise between what can be changed to promote a negative energy balance and what can be tolerated by the body in terms of fat loss. Furthermore, if we also consider the impact of pollution on energy balance for which we currently do not hold solutions of reversibility, we probably must accept that the mankind of today will have to be more corpulent than its ancestors. In this pessimistic environment, there are still possibilities to do better; however, this will probably require the revisiting of lifestyle practices according to what the human body and planet can tolerate as deviation from optimal functioning.
Highlights
Obesity has become a major preoccupation over the last decades because of its important increase in its prevalence all around the world
It is not unreasonable to emphasize in the title of the special issue of this journal that obesity becomes the new normal human condition. This title is relevant for the physiologist who perceives adipose tissue as an important organ for the maintenance of body homeostasis
As described in the present paper, adipose tissue contributes to the control of appetite and thermogenesis, plays an active role in the secretion of hormones involved in metabolic regulation, and acts as a storage site of lipid soluble pollutants
Summary
Reviewed by: Hanna Konttinen, University of Helsinki, Finland Kim Bell-Anderson, University of Sydney, Australia. As discussed in this paper, many individuals may become conflicted with themselves if they wish to prevent weight gain while influencing factors which are determinants of their socioeconomic success In this regard, this paper reminds us of the contribution of adipose tissue gain in body homeostasis which is essential to permit energy balance, especially under lifestyle conditions promoting overfeeding. If we consider the impact of pollution on energy balance for which we currently do not hold solutions of reversibility, we probably must accept that the mankind of today will have to be more corpulent than its ancestors In this pessimistic environment, there are still possibilities to do better; this will probably require the revisiting of lifestyle practices according to what the human body and planet can tolerate as deviation from optimal functioning
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