Causes and solutions to “globesity”: The new fa(s)t alarming global epidemic

Abstract

Diverse groups of factors are leading to increased weight gain and obesity, such as certain genetic phenotypes, neuroendocrine disturbances, the administration of some drugs, behavioral, social and environmental factors. The progressively escalating rates of overweight and obesity worldwide have led to an introduction of a new term "globesity". Excessive accumulation of body fat and especially of visceral adipose tissue is the main predisposing factor for the development of metabolic syndrome and other obesity related co-morbidities. At the present moment only few pharmacotherapeuticals are used for long-term treatment of obesity acting on narrow target spectra, e.g. pancreatic and gastric lipase inhibition, acting as adrenomimetics or activating the satiety centers in hypothalamus. Plant-based medications that accelerate weight loss, proved to be safe, effective and widely available, would be a preferable alternative for anti-obesity treatments. As plant extracts are multi-component systems they could also act by more than one mechanism, including decreased lipid absorption, decreased energy intake, increased energy expenditure, decreased pre-adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, decreased lipogenesis and increased lipolysis. The current review gives a summary of the risk factors for obesity development and its characteristics consequences. Current treatment options, combining lifestyle changes and conventional treatment with commercial anti-obesity drugs have been described as well. Special emphasis on in vitro, in vivo and human studies, of potential medicinal plant extracts and phytochemicals, such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, able to modulate the molecular pathways and gene/protein expressions related to obesity, have been highlighted.

Diet, Lifestyle and Cardiovascular Diseases: Linking Pathophysiology to Cardioprotective Effects of Natural Bioactive Compounds

“…According to WHO, about 13% of the world's adult population was obese in 2016 [64]. Obesity is not only an imbalance between calories consumed and energy expended but rather a complex condition with risk factors, including genetic and behavioural factors [65].…”

“…Several chronic diseases linked to obesity, including CVDs [33,67] type II diabetes [68], hypertension [69], musculoskeletal disorders [70], and certain types of cancer [71]. Current strategies to prevent and/or treat obesity involve lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, which have extensively been reviewed recently [65].…”

Diet‐induced DNA methylation within the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and dysregulated leptin and insulin signaling in the pathophysiology of obesity

“…Phytochemicals are natural compounds that have been increasingly investigated for their health benefits and with further inquiry could prove these to be cheaper alternative therapies. Many of such nutraceuticals are widely available and have been proven to be safe, often eliciting beneficial effects in modulating disease by the activation of various protective mechanisms (Vasileva, Marchev, & Georgiev, ) .…”

Weight Loss after 12 Weeks of Exercise and/or Nutritional Guidance Is Not Obligatory for Induced Changes in Local Fat/Lean Mass Indexes in Adults with Excess of Adiposity

“…It is well recognized that being excess weight not only has a significant, adverse impact on disease risk, but also has important consequences for health (e.g., cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, kidney disease, liver and gall bladder disease, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers) and psychosocial (e.g., bulimia, anxiety, depression, body dissatisfaction, and low body-and self-esteem) functioning, and is related to poor quality of life [6]. Accordingly, efforts to prevent, reduce, or intervene in weight gain and obesity are at the forefront of public health priorities [7].…”