Obesity and Associated Comorbidities in People and Companion Animals: A One Health Perspective

Abstract

This article reviews the biology, prevalence and risks for obesity in people and companion dogs and cats, and explores the links between obesity and diabetes mellitus and cancer across these species. Obesity is a major healthcare problem in both human and veterinary medicine and there is an increasing prevalence of obesity in people and pets. In people and animals, obesity is a complex disorder involving diet, level of physical activity, behavioural factors, socioeconomic factors, environment exposures, genetics, metabolism and the microbiome. Pets and people share a number of obesity-related comorbidities. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus in people and in cats, but this association is not recognized in dogs. Obesity is a recognized risk factor for a number of human cancers, but there are fewer data available describing this association with canine neoplastic disease. One approach to addressing the problem of obesity is by taking a 'One Health' perspective. Comparative clinical research examining shared lifestyle and environmental risk factors and the reasons underlying species differences should provide new perspectives on the fundamental biology of obesity. One Health programmes involving human healthcare professionals and veterinarians could help address obesity with simple interventions at the community level.

Insulin dysregulation in horses with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

“…In those cases, relative hypoinsulinemia was defined as a failure of insulin secretion in the face of SIRS‐induced hyperglycemia, suggesting a transient diabetes mellitus, which is rarely reported in horses. Type‐1 diabetes mellitus, more commonly diagnosed in humans or in dogs, is observed as a consequence of immune‐mediated damage to the endocrine pancreas whereas type‐2 diabetes mellitus develops after decreased pancreatic β cell function after sustained hyperinsulinemia . In 1 foal with severe SIRS, a transient type‐1 diabetes mellitus has been described suggesting that severe SIRS could lead to pancreatic dysfunction .…”

Effect of Orlistat on the pancreas of the female albino rat: Histological and Histochemical study

“…Obesity is a significant health problem that is growing in prevalence [12] . Orlistat (Xenical; Roche, Basel, Switzerland), an inhibitor of pancreatic lipases that limits the intestinal absorption of dietary fat, has proven effective in augmenting weight loss [13] .…”

Obesity as an immune-modifying factor in cancer immunotherapy

“…In fact, the parallel evolutionary history of humans and dogs, and the shared exposure of environmental risk factors have led to many similarities in disease prevalence and incidence between humans and dogs . In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 25% of dogs are obese . In dogs, obesity is categorized using a body condition score (BCS).…”

“…As in humans, canine obesity is associated with the development of insulin resistance, altered lipid profiles, and mild hypertension, which are ameliorated by weight loss. Furthermore, overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus and, similar to humans, this can impact lifespan …”