Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-23T20:29:25.836Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Experimental demonstration of human weight homeostasis: implications for understanding obesity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Alejandro E. Macias
Alejandro E. Macias*
Affiliation:
Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Guanajuato University School of Medicine at Leon, Mexico
*
Corresponding author: Dr Alejandro E. Macias, fax +1 928 4412588, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The existence of a set-point for homeostatic control of human body weight is uncertain. To investigate its existence, technically difficult determinations of energy expenditure must be performed: this has resulted in contradictory reports. The present study was performed with new methods in two stages (77 and 133d respectively). Two healthy male subjects with rigorously controlled physical activity ingested three standardized diets of processed foods from the same manufacturer. Hypo-, iso- and hyperenergetic diets containing 6255kJ (1494kcal), 10073kJ (2406kcal) and 13791kJ (3294kcal) respectively were ingested during alternate periods; changes in body weight were measured. A new index of energy expenditure was calculated as the amount of weight lost in an 8h overnight period (WL8H). A digital scale was used in stage 1 and a mechanical scale in stage 2. The change in body weight in response to the isoenergetic diet differed according to the circumstances. In basal conditions, it was associated with weight stability. After weight loss from energy restriction, the isoenergetic diet led to weight gain. After weight gain from overeating, it led to weight loss. Diets of higher energy content were associated with greater WL8H (F>20; P<0·0001 for both subjects). Measurement variability was lower using a mechanical scale. The present study demonstrates the existence of a homeostatic control of human weight and describes a new index of energy expenditure measured in weight units. It also demonstrates that strict dietary supervision for months is possible. Investigation of the human body weight set-point is vital in understanding obesity.

Keywords

Body weightBody weight changeWeight lossWeight gainObesity
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 91 , Issue 3 , March 2004 , pp. 479 - 484
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2004

References

Amatruda, JM, Statt, MC & Welle, SL (1993) Total and resting energy expenditure in obese women reduced to ideal body weight. J Clin Invest 92, 1236–1242.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bernardis, LL, McEwen, G & Kodis, M (1986) Body weight set point studies in weanling rats with dorsomedial hypothalamic lesions (DMNL rats). Brain Res Bull 17, 451–460.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Egger, G & Swinburn, B (1997) An "ecological" approach to the obesity pandemic. Br Med J 315, 477–480.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garrow, JS, Blaza, SE, Warwick, PM & Ashwell, MA (1980) Predisposition to obesity. Lancet 1, 1103–1104.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garrow, JS (2000) Obesity. In Concise Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 1st ed., pp. 923–931[Ledingham, JGG, Warrel, DA, editors]. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Granata, GP & Brandon, LJ (2002) The thermic effect of food and obesity: discrepant results and methodological variations. Nutr Rev 60, 223–233.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hallonquist, JD & Brandes, JS (1984) Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions in rats: gradual elevation of body weight set-point. Physiol Behav 33, 831–836.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hunsinger, RN & Wilson, MC (1986) Anorectics and the set point theory for regulation of body weight. Int J Obes 10, 205–210.Google ScholarPubMed
Leibel, RL, Rosenbaum, M & Hirsch, J (1995) Changes in energy expenditure resulting from altered body weight. New Engl J Med 332, 621–628.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Levine, JA, Eberhardt, NL & Jensen, MD (1999) Role of nonexercise activity thermogenesis in resistance to fat gain in humans. Science 282, 212–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ohlin, A & Rossner, S (1996) Factors related to body weight changes during and after pregnancy: the Stockholm Pregnancy and Weight Development Study. Obes Res 4, 271–276.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Payne, PR & Dugdale, AE (1977) Mechanisms for the control of body weight. Lancet 1, 583–586.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Peters, JC, Kriketos, AD & Hill, JO (2000) Control of energy balance. In Biochemical and Physiological Aspects of Human Nutrition, pp. 425–438[Stipanuk, MH, editor]. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Co.Google Scholar
Ravussin, E, Burnand, B, Schutz, Y & Jequier, E (1985) Energy expenditure before and during energy restriction in obese patients. Am J Clin Nutr 41, 753–759.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rodriguez, G, Moreno, LA, Sarria, A, Fleta, J & Bueno, M (2002) Resting energy expenditure in children and adolescents: agreement between calorimetry and prediction equations. Clin Nutr 21, 255–260.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Seale, J, Miles, C & Bodwell, CE (1989) Sensistivity of methods for calculating energy expenditure by use of doubly labeled water. J Appl Physiol 66, 644–652.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sobal, J, Rauschenbach, B & Frongillo, EA (2003) Marital status changes and body weight changes: a US longitudinal analysis. Soc Sci Med 56, 1543–1555.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weigle, DS (1988) Contribution of decreased body mass to diminished thermic effect of exercise in reduced-obese men. Int J Obes 12, 567–578.Google ScholarPubMed