Obesity and modern nutrition

Abstract

During evolution a system of feeding regulation has emerged that is based on permanent and unpredictable energy expenditure in conjunction with varying uncertain periods of food deprivation and starvation and rather limited phases of nutrient abundance. This system is adapted to an energy density of natural foods and has never had to consider liquid calories except for a short postnatal period. Furthermore, within 3-4 decades the exponential agricultural and technical progress has led to a greater availability of food items with an overall higher energy density together with a greater variety and palatability. All these factors are the basis for a substantially greater challenge to the underlying neuroendocrine feeding regulation by cognitive and sensory mechanisms. Thus, an increasing mismatch between feeding conditions and feeding regulation has evolved. The battle of the obesity epidemic requires a multifactorial effort that has to compensate the short-comings of feeding regulation by dietary recommendations requiring great individual acceptance.