Treating obesity: is it all in the gut?

A Mixed-Methods Examination among Young Adult Racially/Ethnically Diverse Bariatric Surgery Patients

“…Considering the discovery of ghrelin and its effects on appetite, reward, and feelings of satiety, it is no surprise that pharmaceutical companies are in the process of developing medications that target ghrelin for the treatment of obesity (Davenport & Wright, 2013). The literature indicates that ghrelin could also play a role in alcohol consumption, which is discussed later in this chapter.…”

“…Studies examining ghrelin and its effect on obesity in animal models are inconclusive, but suggest that mice who have lower ghrelin levels are resistant to obesity onset from a high fat diet (Davenport & Wright, 2013).…”

“…Some post-surgical patients report sensations of feeling full, which they often describe as a unique feeling and one they have not experienced in a long time. It is hypothesized that gut hormones, such as ghrelin, are reduced with the surgery on the stomach, which results the patient reporting increased satiety with lower amounts of food compared to pre-surgery (Davenport & Wright, 2013;Schellkens et al, 2013).…”

“…Emerging research is also suggesting that ghrelin is involved in stressinduced food consumption and impacts the reward pathways. Ghrelin gene polymorphisms and mutations have also been associated with an increased obesity risk (Davenport & Wright, 2013;Schellkens et al, 2013).…”

“…However, while it is not known how much these factors account for obesity, it is clear that biological and genetic factors are associated with, but not solely responsible for, obesity (Davenport & Wright, 2013;Egger & Swinburn, 1997;Hill & Melanson, 1999).…”