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Attempts to define the genetic basis of obesity in the present century probably began with the study of Davenport reported in 1923. A number of papers were published on the topic based on weight for height data prior to the 1970s. Bray (1981) has summarized a good number of these studies which quite consistently demonstrated that obese children had frequently obese parents. Thus, in about 30% of the cases both parents of obese children were obese, with a range in frequency of 6% to 43%. Of course, one can readily observe that the fit between the obese state of the children and that of the parents is variable and not very tight. Following this period, the field of genetic epidemiology began to contribute new methods and research strategies in the efforts to define the genetic basis of quantitative multifactorial phenotypes. For the past 15 years or so, a good number of reports have been published regarding the heritability level and the segregation pattern of body mass for stature, and other indicators of obesity. Unfortunately, much less has been reported on the determinants and intermediate phenotypes of obesity or fat topography phenotypes.

The hypothesis that where adipose tissue is located on the body is an important predictor of health has been the subject of intense research over the past 10 to 15 years. The concept of an “apple shaped” body being associated with higher risk than a “pear shaped” body has appeared in the lay literature, and as a result, questions concerning fat distribution are being directed to physicians and other health care professionals. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the history and major findings in the area of fat distribution, and to point out current controversies and future directions of research.

This paper deals with other effects of obesity drugs than weight loss itself and weight loss related effects. The review does not pretend completeness. Rather will the effects — good and bad — be dealt with from examples putting the stress on experience from human studies of clinical relevance.

One of the major challenges in biology and medicine is the unravelling of the fundamental abnormality imparting vulnerability to the development of obesity. The experimental approaches adopted to date have simply not provided the solution. It is pertinent, particularly in the context of this meeting, that obesity frequently triggers or aggravates non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Thus, prevention or effective treatment of obesity would also have a prophylactic or ameliorative effect on type II diabetes. This paper will review and provide new data about the proposed functions of heparin-binding (fibroblast) growth factors in relation to adipose cell dynamics and processes opposing adipose differentiation.

The so-called diet-heart hypothesis has dominated research on relations between dietary components and coronary heart disease during the last 30 years. This hypothesis states that saturated fats elevate serum cholesterol levels and persons with elevated serum cholesterol levels are at high risk for coronary heart disease (Keys, 1952). The evidence available for the diet-heart hypothesis will be reviewed in this paper. Other areas of current interest are the relations between energy intake, dietary fiber, obesity, and coronary heart disease and relations between dietary minerals, blood pressure, and coronary heart disease. These relations will also be reviewed and recommendations for future research will be made.

Obesity, which refers to an excess of subcutaneous fat (Craddock, 1978; Craig, 1969), represents one of the most prevalent and refractory health problems occurring today (Brownell & Stunkard, 1978). In the professional area, new books on obesity are appearing with increasing regularity. Journals devoted specifically to this topic, for example, International Journal of Obesity, Journal of Obesity and Weight Regulation) along with numerous convention papers and workshops also add to the burgeoning professional literature. In the public area, a literal deluge of material awaits the interested individual in the form of popular trade books, over-the-counter drugs, weight loss clinics, health spas, and physical fitness centers. However, in spite of the continued focus by professionals and lay persons on the issues of overweight and obesity, as late as 1977 at a conference, “Obesity and the American Public,” investigators were professing their ignorance about the etiology and appropriate treatment of obesity (Kolaka, 1977). This ignorance is even more apparent in the field of developmental disabilities (DD), where a paucity of relevant is available. The purpose of this chapter is to present what is known about obesity in DD individuals as well as pertinent data obtained for non-DD persons. Also, where appropriate, suggestions will be made about what we yet need to learn about this complicated area.

We produce spontaneously diabetic rats from normal rats by repeating the selective breeding using glucose intolerance as the selection index. The rats are called GK rats and now we have the 37th generation. In this paper, characteristic features, insulin secretion and the effect of obesity will be presented.

The paper will follow the approach used by the first part of the Expert Committee published conjointly by the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO, 1978) in 1978 on the Role of Dietary Fats in Human Nutrition. The first section dealt specifically with the role of dietary fats in early development. The report made the important point that there was a need to reduce the intake of saturated fats in countries at high risk to cardio-vascular disease, obesity and maturity onset diabetes but was unique in that it also referred to the need for additional fat in developing countries.