The hunger genes: pathways to obesity.

The global rise in the prevalence of obesity and associated co-morbidities such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer represents a major public health concern. The biological response to increased consumption of palatable foods or a reduction in energy expenditure is highly variable between individuals. A more detailed mechanistic understanding of the molecular, physiological, and behavioral pathways involved in the development of obesity in susceptible individuals is critical for identifying effective mechanism-based preventative and therapeutic interventions.