While obesity and weight issues continue to be a huge problem in our society today, the most recent research suggests that obesity may in fact be a brain disease. Some scientists have argued that after excessive overnutrition, the body tends to accumulate more and more fat. As overnutrition occurs, inflammation in the hypothalamus and insulin resistance may occur, in addition to general weight gain. This inflammation and resistance may lead to a variety of problems, including fat tissue expansion via lipolysis, impaired energy and food intake control via hypothalamic gliosis, and cognitive deficits via impaired insulin secretion. Many of these issues will in some form cycle back, causing more weight gain and obesity, or more structural brain changes and cognitive deficits. However, much more research needs to be done in this area.
Personally, I am skeptical of such a hypothesis. While I agree that obesity may result from some brain dysfunction, there are still huge social and economical factors that play a large role in this epidemic that is overcoming our country. For example, while obesity has become a huge problem, relatively little has been done to combat this by our government. Apart from healthier school lunches, much of government funding goes to supplying underprivileged with food, regardless of its nutritional value. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be attempting to stop hunger, but I feel more action should be taken that is directly focused on reducing obesity. For example, I think Berkeley, CA is on the right track, marking a one cent tax per fluid ounce on sugary beverages.
In terms of social factors, nutrition awareness needs to start earlier, with parents supporting healthy food choices for their kids beginning at birth. I firmly believe that although there are some genetic influences, obesity can be prevented by making the choice to eat healthy from the beginning. If kids are fed healthy foods by their parents, it is more likely that they will develop healthier eating habits, resulting less weight gain as they age and metabolism slows. Nonetheless, this is of course coupled with economic factors, as more nutritious foods are generally more expensive, compared to their unhealthy alternatives. And again, government regulation plays a role, as one may argue for government subsidies on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Now I don’t claim to be a politician or expert on government, but I do know that obesity, brain disease or not, is a huge problem that is growing in the US, quite literally. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done soon. Until then, keep eating your fruits and veggies, and help encourage your kids’ to do the same.
More Than Meets the Eye: Obesity in the United States
