672 lines
66 KiB
Text
672 lines
66 KiB
Text
<!DOCTYPE html>
|
||
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
|
||
<head>
|
||
<title>Research in Context: Obesity and metabolic health | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
|
||
<meta charset="utf-8" />
|
||
<script type="text/javascript">
|
||
//<![CDATA[
|
||
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
|
||
|
||
var script = document.createElement("script");
|
||
script.type = "text/javascript";
|
||
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
|
||
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
|
||
|
||
//]]>
|
||
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
|
||
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
|
||
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
|
||
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
|
||
<meta name="description" content="Losing weight and reversing obesity might seem straightforward: eat fewer calories than you burn. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. This special feature explores the many factors that affect the body’s metabolism." />
|
||
<meta name="keywords" content="Brown fat activity, brown adipose tissue, metabolism, resting energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, mirabegron, β3-AR receptor agonist, ultra-processed food, unprocessed food, highly processed food, additives, emulsifiers, high-fructose corn syrup, healthy eating, diet, weight loss, low-carbohydrate, low-fat, keto, ketogenic, sleep deprivation, sleep disruption, recovery sleep, catch-up sleep, Aaron Cypess, Kevin Hall, Kenneth Wright, Jr., Journal of Clinical Investigation, JCI, Cell Metabolism, Nature Medicine, Current Biology" />
|
||
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
|
||
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
|
||
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
|
||
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-obesity-metabolic-health" />
|
||
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/243151" />
|
||
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
|
||
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
|
||
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
|
||
<meta property="og:title" content="Research in Context: Obesity and metabolic health" />
|
||
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-obesity-metabolic-health" />
|
||
<meta property="og:description" content="Losing weight and reversing obesity might seem straightforward: eat fewer calories than you burn. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. This special feature explores the many factors that affect the body’s metabolism." />
|
||
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2024-03-08T13:29:39-05:00" />
|
||
<meta property="og:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Research in Context: Obesity and metabolic health" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-obesity-metabolic-health" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Losing weight and reversing obesity might seem straightforward: eat fewer calories than you burn. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. This special feature explores the many factors that affect the" />
|
||
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg" />
|
||
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2023-10-05T13:34:23-04:00" />
|
||
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2024-03-08T13:29:39-05:00" />
|
||
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
|
||
<meta name="published_date" content="2023-10-05T13:34:23-04:00" />
|
||
<meta name="last_revision" content="2024-03-08T13:29:39-05:00" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
|
||
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
|
||
</style>
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&subset=latin" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
|
||
|
||
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
|
||
<![endif]-->
|
||
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
|
||
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
|
||
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
|
||
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
|
||
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
|
||
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
|
||
<script>
|
||
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
|
||
</script>
|
||
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
|
||
|
||
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
|
||
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
|
||
//
|
||
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
|
||
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
|
||
// an external file.
|
||
//
|
||
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
|
||
(function () {
|
||
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
|
||
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
|
||
var config = {
|
||
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
|
||
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
|
||
siteKey: "nih-gov",
|
||
container: containerValue || "live",
|
||
loadTime: Date.now()
|
||
};
|
||
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
|
||
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
|
||
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
|
||
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
|
||
document.head.appendChild(script);
|
||
})();
|
||
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
|
||
</script>
|
||
|
||
</head>
|
||
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-243151 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
|
||
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
|
||
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
|
||
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-page-content">
|
||
|
||
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
|
||
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
|
||
<ul class="l-ribbon">
|
||
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health & Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-banner">
|
||
<div class="l-branding">
|
||
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
|
||
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
|
||
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
|
||
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
|
||
</form>
|
||
<ul class="banner-utilities">
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</header>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
|
||
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
|
||
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
|
||
<ul class="l-menu">
|
||
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
|
||
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul class="sub-menu">
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
|
||
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health A–Z</a></li>-->
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
|
||
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
|
||
<div class="input-wrapper">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
|
||
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
|
||
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul class="sub-menu">
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy & Compliance</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants & Funding Information">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News & Events</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News & Events">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research & Training</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs & Clinics</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research & Training">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
|
||
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
|
||
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu">
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
|
||
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More »</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
|
||
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>®</sup></a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
|
||
</nav>
|
||
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News & Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
|
||
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-content" role="main">
|
||
<a id="main-content"></a>
|
||
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-obesity-metabolic-health" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2023-10-17T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">October 17, 2023</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>Research in Context: Obesity and metabolic health</h1><div class="callout callout-with-border"><h3><em>The complexities of metabolism and body weight</em></h3>
|
||
|
||
<p>Losing weight and reversing obesity might seem straightforward: eat fewer calories than you burn. But that’s not as easy as it sounds. This special <em>Research in Context</em> feature explores the many factors that affect the body’s metabolism and weight, some of which are difficult to control.</p></div><div class="media-float-right"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<picture title="Rear view of a confused man looking at food in refrigerator.">
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=6z8OsYBN&timestamp=1697549159 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=gk3Ps-I4&timestamp=1697549159 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=tyE1B4t1&timestamp=1697549159 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=9iIRhCQv&timestamp=1697549159 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)" />
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=m3oS_YKE&timestamp=1697549159 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)" />
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
|
||
<img src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-foods-feature.jpg?itok=gk3Ps-I4&timestamp=1697549159" alt="Rear view of a confused man looking at food in refrigerator." title="Rear view of a confused man looking at food in refrigerator." />
|
||
</picture><span class="caption">Researchers are learning more about the complex factors that affect how our bodies regulate the calories we take in and burn. </span><span class="credit">Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock</span></div>
|
||
|
||
</div><p>Obesity has been a growing problem in the U.S. More than 40% of adults and 19% of children now have obesity. Some people may think of obesity as a consequence of lifestyle choices. But there are many factors affecting body weight that are beyond our conscious control. Researchers are only beginning to understand them.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The rise in obesity has serious implications. Excess body fat can trigger inflammation, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure. Levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood increase, raising the risk of heart disease and stroke. Fat can also get stored in places it normally wouldn’t be, such as the liver and kidneys.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Obesity and some of its associated symptoms, such as high blood pressure and high blood sugar, contribute to a condition known as metabolic syndrome. People with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even certain cancers.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>NIH-funded researchers have been working for a deeper understanding of metabolic health. They are trying to learn how our bodies regulate how many calories we take in and burn, and how our behavior and environment can promote obesity. Research has also led to a more nuanced understanding of fat itself. This research may result in better ways to prevent and treat metabolic syndrome.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h3>Body weight, diet, and appetite</h3>
|
||
|
||
<p>Losing weight and reversing obesity might seem straightforward: eat fewer calories than you burn. But many of us know that’s not as easy as it sounds.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>“I think that most people overestimate how much conscious control we have, over long periods of time, over both the amount of food that we eat as well as the type of food that we eat,” says NIH metabolism researcher Dr. Kevin Hall.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>If you cut down how many calories you eat and do more physical activity, you will begin to lose weight. But as you do so, your body adjusts. You start burning fewer calories, so the calorie deficit shrinks. Your appetite may also go up, driving you to eat more. Both of these changes happen on an unconscious level. So, failure to lose a substantial amount of weight through diet and exercise can’t just be blamed on a lack of willpower. There’s a fundamental biological drive that has to be overcome.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>“People perceive hunger in their brain,” explains Dr. Aaron Cypess, another NIH metabolism researcher. “And if the brain is not getting the right amount of signal saying that there's enough calories, then the brain will lead one to eat more.” Research on the recently approved weight-loss drugs semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) supports this view. These drugs work by targeting areas of the brain that regulate appetite.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>But researchers have also discovered that the foods available to us are not created equal when it comes to appetite control. Hall’s research has found that people unconsciously eat more calories’ worth of certain foods than others. In one study, 20 people stayed at the NIH Clinical Center’s Metabolic Clinical Research Unit for four weeks. They were told they could eat as much or as little as they wanted. Each participant was given a diet that was low in fat and high in carbohydrates for two weeks and one that was low in carbohydrates and high in fat for two weeks. Both diets were based on minimally processed foods.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The participants reported no differences in hunger, satisfaction, or fullness between the diets. But when provided with the low-fat diet, they ended up eating almost 700 calories less per day than when given the low-carb diet. They also lost more body fat. Participants still lost weight on both diets, suggesting that both of these restricted food patterns caused people to eat fewer calories than their habitual diets, at least in the short term.</p>
|
||
|
||
<div class="media-float-right"><div class="media media-element-container media-floated_media"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<picture title="Meal of unprocessed food." class="media-element">
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=qUClNfnl&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=QSHwbYed&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=uG54dUFa&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=2Ocm_hEv&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=uLv-rXvZ&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)"></source>
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
|
||
<img class="media-element" src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231010-food_0.jpg?itok=QSHwbYed&timestamp=1709922472" alt="Meal of unprocessed food." title="Meal of unprocessed food." />
|
||
</picture><span class="caption">Minimally processed dinner from day 7: Penne pasta primavera (olive oil, garlic, pinto beans, spinach, basil, tomatoes), side salad with red wine vinaigrette, and grapes.</span><span class="credit">all et al., Cell Metabolism</span></div>
|
||
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="media-float-right"><div class="media media-element-container media-floated_media"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<picture title="Meal of unprocessed food." class="media-element">
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=LjFSy2Zb&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=PljZLCAH&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=SNYOI9Qx&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=HFKMmpDj&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=qKo1JQrH&timestamp=1709922472 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)"></source>
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
|
||
<img class="media-element" src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-ultraprocessed_0.jpg?itok=PljZLCAH&timestamp=1709922472" alt="Meal of unprocessed food." title="Meal of unprocessed food." />
|
||
</picture><span class="caption">Ultra-processed dinner from day 7: peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread, cheese puffs, graham crackers, chocolate pudding, and 2% milk with added fiber.</span><span class="credit">Hall et al., Cell Metabolism</span></div>
|
||
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
|
||
<p>Food processing may also play a role in food intake. Hall’s team tested two food patterns with the same number of calories, salt, sugar, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates. But one diet was high in minimally processed foods while the other was high in “ultra-processed” foods. These are ready-to-heat or ready-to-eat foods that have undergone extensive industrial processing. They have additives and other ingredients not typically used in home cooking. For example, those on the ultra-processed diet received a bagel and cream cheese with turkey bacon for breakfast one day. Those on the unprocessed diet received oatmeal with walnuts, bananas, and coconut. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p>As in the first study, participants reported no differences in hunger, fullness, or satisfaction between the diets. But during the ultra-processed dietary period, participants ate about 500 calories more per day than during the unprocessed period. The ultra-processed foods caused participants to gain an average of 2 pounds of weight, much of it from increased body fat. When participants were exposed to the unprocessed diet, they lost weight and body fat. This finding suggests that the increasing amount of ultra-processed foods in our environment may have helped to drive the rise in obesity.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Hall’s group is now trying to figure out what it is about ultra-processed foods that leads people to eat more calories, and how this happens. He notes that getting rid of ultra-processed foods entirely wouldn’t be practical. “We’re not going to go from a country where half of the food supply is ultra-processed foods to a country where a very small fraction of the food supply is ultra-processed foods. We rely on them too much. I rely on them still. They’re tasty, they're convenient, and it doesn’t take much time or effort or skill to prepare them.”</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>But understanding what makes these foods problematic could lead to healthier eating. Manufacturers might be able to reformulate ultra-processed foods to be less likely to cause overeating. Consumers could learn what products to avoid. And government regulators could craft policies to help improve people’s metabolic health.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h3>Sleep and metabolic health</h3>
|
||
|
||
<p>Diet and exercise aren’t the only activities that affect your metabolic health. Our metabolism, like many aspects of our biology, varies with the time of day. So besides what you eat, when you eat can affect your body and your health.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Research has found that sleep has a major effect on the body’s metabolism. Experts recommend that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night. Yet many American adults regularly get less than that—and some aren't able to get all their sleep at night.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Poor sleep is linked to the risk of obesity and diabetes. Our bodies are most capable of taking in nutrients during the daytime when we’re awake. People who spend too much time awake end up eating more—particularly at night, when their bodies aren’t ready for it. Eating at night tends to lead to more energy being stored as fat. This is particularly a problem for night shift workers, who have an increased risk of metabolic disorders. Not getting enough sleep also impairs the body’s ability to respond to insulin, the hormone your body uses to regulate blood sugar. Over time, impaired insulin sensitivity can lead to type 2 diabetes.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Some people try to sleep longer on the weekends to make up for the sleep they didn’t get during the work week. But a recent NIH-funded study suggests that this “catch-up” sleep can’t counteract the effects of sleep deprivation. People who were limited to five hours of sleep per night ate more after-dinner snacks than those allowed to sleep normally. During the two-week study, they gained about 3 pounds on average, and their insulin sensitivity declined.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>After five days, some of the sleep-deprived participants were allowed two days of unrestricted sleep. But this barely helped. They fell far short of making up for the more than 12 hours they lost during the preceding five days. After-dinner snacking decreased during the two-day recovery period, but it went back up upon returning to restricted sleep. In the end, they didn’t gain any less weight than people who didn’t get weekend recovery sleep, and their insulin sensitivity decreased even more.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>“In the case of smoking, we wouldn’t say, ‘oh, you can smoke for five days, just take the weekend off, and it’ll be okay,’” explains study leader Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr. of the University of Colorado Boulder. “We’re not trying to say, don't sleep in on the weekend. We’re trying to say get adequate sleep as much as you can on a consistent basis.”</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Limiting the times you eat through brief intentional periods of fasting may also have benefits for metabolic health. Studies in animals have found that repeated cycles of fasting, even without reducing total calories, can improve a range of metabolic and immune functions. Examples include lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation. Small clinical studies have also found that periodic fasting can have health benefits in people. Some of the benefits seen include lower inflammation and blood pressure, and better control of blood sugar. Researchers are now studying whether such approaches might be safely used to improve human health over the long term, and whom they might benefit.</p>
|
||
|
||
<h3>Different kinds of fat</h3>
|
||
|
||
<p>Researchers have discovered that it isn’t only how much fat you have that matters; it’s the kind of fat. The human body contains two main kinds. Most is white fat. This stores excess energy in the form of molecules called triglycerides. White fat is found throughout the body, usually in a layer under the skin and around internal organs. Having too much white fat is what makes someone have obesity.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>But there’s another kind of fat, called brown fat. Its job is to help maintain body temperature by burning triglycerides to generate heat. Until about 15 years ago, humans were believed to lose most of their brown fat after infancy. It was thought that any brown fat that remained in adults didn’t serve any function. Since then, researchers have learned that nearly every adult human has some functioning brown fat. It’s found only in certain places in people: the neck and shoulders, along the spine, and around the kidneys.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Brown fat may have a big impact on our metabolic health. In mice, activating brown fat reduces levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood. It also prevents atherosclerosis, a sticky buildup along the artery walls that contributes to heart disease. In people, more brown fat is associated with lower rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure. So, having more brown fat, or more active brown fat, may be good for metabolic health. This suggests that increasing brown fat activity might protect against metabolic syndrome.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>The simplest way to activate brown fat is long exposure to cold temperatures. But people might not be willing to spend hours a day sitting in the cold. It would be more practical if we could take a drug to activate our brown fat.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Cypess and his team are studying one potential drug, mirabegron, that is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating overactive bladder. It works by binding to and activating a protein found on the surface of certain cells, including brown fat cells.</p>
|
||
|
||
<div class="media-float-left"><div class="media media-element-container media-floated_media"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-jpeg view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<picture title="PET images of brown fat in woman’s body showing more brown fat on day 28 in regions between neck and shoulders." class="media-element">
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=dNUrT42o&timestamp=1697480324 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=5QNrqi0V&timestamp=1697480324 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=JC8uOCCm&timestamp=1697480324 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=Cg3wGc7Z&timestamp=1697480324 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)"></source>
|
||
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=fQcy3n8M&timestamp=1697480324 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)"></source>
|
||
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
|
||
<img class="media-element" src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231017-brown-fat_0.jpg?itok=5QNrqi0V&timestamp=1697480324" alt="PET images of brown fat in woman’s body showing more brown fat on day 28 in regions between neck and shoulders." title="PET images of brown fat in woman’s body showing more brown fat on day 28 in regions between neck and shoulders." />
|
||
</picture><span class="caption">Human brown adipose tissue, or brown fat, on day 1 (left) and after 28 days of receiving mirabegron (right). </span><span class="credit">Cypess lab, Journal of Clinical Investigation</span></div>
|
||
|
||
</div></div>
|
||
|
||
<p>In a small trial, Cypess and his team showed that mirabegron could activate brown fat at least as well as cold exposure. In a follow-up study, mirabegron increased the amount and activity of brown fat over the course of the study. The amount of energy used increased, and some measures of metabolism improved, although there were no changes in body weight or the percentage of body fat.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>These changes were comparable to those caused by mild exercise, bariatric surgery, or anti-diabetic drugs. The only side effect was a small increase in resting heart rate. This is a known side effect of mirabegron and was not large enough to put the participants’ safety at risk.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>Cypess’s team now seeks to figure out how brown fat activation leads to these metabolic changes. They’re also looking at whether mirabegron can help people at risk for metabolic disease.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>“This field is interesting, because there are a lot of people with very strong opinions who will tell you that they already know the answers,” Hall says. “It seems to me that there are still a lot of really important open questions. We’re getting closer to understanding why obesity has increased. We thankfully have some seemingly effective ways to deal with people who have severe obesity, or complications of obesity. But there's still a lot of work to do.”</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>—by Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p></div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brown-fat-associated-less-heart-metabolic-disease" target="_top">Brown Fat Associated with Less Heart and Metabolic Disease</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/drug-activates-brown-fat-improves-glucose-metabolism-healthy-women" target="_top">Drug Activates Brown Fat, Improves Glucose Metabolism in Healthy Women</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-brown-fat-improves-metabolism" target="_top">How Brown Fat Improves Metabolism</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/microneedle-patch-shrinks-fat-tissue-mice" target="_top">Microneedle Patch Shrinks Fat Tissue in Mice</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/drug-activates-brown-fat-increases-metabolism" target="_top">Drug Activates Brown Fat and Increases Metabolism</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/low-fat-diet-compared-low-carb-diet" target="_top">Low-Fat Diet Compared to Low-Carb Diet</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/eating-highly-processed-foods-linked-weight-gain" target="_top">Eating Highly Processed Foods Linked to Weight Gain</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/prescribing-healthy-foods-could-bring-cost-effective-benefits" target="_top">Prescribing Healthy Foods Could Bring Cost-Effective Benefits</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/biological-factors-weight-loss-methods" target="_top">Biological Factors and Weight Loss Methods</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-dietary-factors-influence-disease-risk" target="_top">How Dietary Factors Influence Disease Risk</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dietary-fat-vs-carbohydrate-reducing-body-fat" target="_top">Dietary Fat vs. Carbohydrate for Reducing Body Fat</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/diet-beverages-body-weight" target="_top">Diet Beverages and Body Weight</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/weekend-catch-cant-counter-chronic-sleep-deprivation" target="_top">Weekend Catch-Up Can’t Counter Chronic Sleep Deprivation</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-disrupted-sleep-may-lead-heart-disease" target="_top">How Disrupted Sleep May Lead to Heart Disease</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/fasting-increases-health-lifespan-male-mice" target="_top">Fasting Increases Health and Lifespan in Male Mice</a></li><li><a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/12/fast-or-not-fast" target="_top">To Fast or Not to Fast: Does When You Eat Matter?</a></li><li><a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/special-issues/eating/plan-your-plate" target="_top">Plan Your Plate: Shifting to a Healthy Eating Style</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/metabolic-syndrome" target="_top">What Is Metabolic Syndrome?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/adult-overweight-obesity" target="_top">Understanding Adult Overweight & Obesity</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/eat/calories.htm" target="_top">Healthy Eating Plan</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation" target="_top">What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-understanding-sleep" target="_top">Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep</a></li><li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance" target="_top">Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes</a></li></ul><p class="footnote"><strong class="label-inline">References: </strong><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33479499/">Effect of a plant-based, low-fat diet versus an animal-based, ketogenic diet on ad libitum energy intake</a>. Hall KD, Guo J, Courville AB, Boring J, Brychta R, Chen KY, Darcey V, Forde CG, Gharib AM, Gallagher I, Howard R, Joseph PV, Milley L, Ouwerkerk R, Raisinger K, Rozga I, Schick A, Stagliano M, Torres S, Walter M, Walter P, Yang S, Chung ST. <em>Nat Med.</em> 2021 Jan 21. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-01209-1. PMID: 33479499.<br /><br />
|
||
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31105044">Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of <em>Ad Libitum</em> Food Intake</a>. Hall KD, Ayuketah A, Brychta R, Cai H, Cassimatis T, Chen KY, Chung ST, Costa E, Courville A, Darcey V, Fletcher LA, Forde CG, Gharib AM, Guo J, Howard R, Joseph PV, McGehee S, Ouwerkerk R, Raisinger K, Rozga I, Stagliano M, Walter M, Walter PJ, Yang S, Zhou M. <em>Cell Metabolism.</em> 2019 May 10. pii: S1550-4131(19)30248-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008. PMID: 31105044.<br /><br />
|
||
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30827911">Ad libitum Weekend Recovery Sleep Fails to Prevent Metabolic Dysregulation during a Repeating Pattern of Insufficient Sleep and Weekend Recovery Sleep</a>. Depner CM, Melanson EL, Eckel RH, Snell-Bergeon JK, Perreault L, Bergman BC, Higgins JA, Guerin MK, Stothard ER, Morton SJ, Wright KP Jr. <em>Curr Biol</em>. 2019 Feb 11. pii: S0960-9822(19)30098-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2019.01.069. PMID:30827911. <br /><br />
|
||
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31961826">Chronic mirabegron treatment increases human brown fat, HDL cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity</a>. O'Mara AE, Johnson JW, Linderman JD, Brychta RJ, McGehee S, Fletcher LA, Fink YA, Kapuria D, Cassimatis TM, Kelsey N, Cero C, Abdul-Sater Z, Piccinini F, Baskin AS, Leitner BP, Cai H, Millo CM, Dieckmann W, Walter M, Javitt NB, Rotman Y, Walter PJ, Ader M, Bergman RN, Herscovitch P, Chen KY, Cypess AM. <em>J Clin Invest</em>. 2020 May 1;130(5):2209-2219. doi: 10.1172/JCI131126. PMID: 31961826.<br /><br />
|
||
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31881139/">Effects of Intermittent Fasting on Health, Aging, and Disease</a>. de Cabo R, Mattson MP. <em>N Engl J Med</em>. 2019 Dec 26;381(26):2541-2551. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1905136. PMID: 31881139.</p>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="lastupdated">
|
||
</div> </div>
|
||
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
|
||
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-f900c72ba8c5f207b78bb9c8df8e417b">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<div class="view-content">
|
||
<div>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-obesity-metabolic-health" class="active">Research in Context: Obesity and metabolic health</a></p> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
</div> </div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
|
||
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
|
||
<div class="input-wrapper">
|
||
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
|
||
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
|
||
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
|
||
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
|
||
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
|
||
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
|
||
</div>
|
||
</form>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<ul class="icon-list">
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
|
||
NIH Research Matters<br />
|
||
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
|
||
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
|
||
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
|
||
|
||
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
|
||
|
||
<div class="content" class="block__content">
|
||
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
|
||
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIH’s experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</aside>
|
||
</div>
|
||
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
|
||
<div class="l-connect">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
|
||
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
|
||
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<ul>
|
||
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
|
||
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
|
||
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
|
||
</ul>
|
||
<p>NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>®</sup></p>
|
||
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
|
||
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
|
||
</footer>
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
|
||
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
|
||
</body>
|
||
</html>
|
||
|