Obesity and gastrointestinal sensory-motor function.

Obesity has become a significant public health problem in the United States and has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Alterations in gastrointestinal sensory-motor function are now recognized to be associated with obesity and may be the cause of functional gastrointestinal symptoms commonly seen in these patients. The gut peptides are intimately involved in this process and may provide attractive therapeutic targets in the fight against this very morbid disease.