Abstract
The increasing worldwide prevalence of obesity is a major health problem since excessive body weight constitutes a risk factor in a number of chronic diseases. It has been reported that obese individuals are more susceptible to infection than lean subjects; however, the underlying factors are not fully understood. Limited and often controversial information exists comparing immunocompetence in obese and nonobese subjects as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved, although much evidence supports a link between adipose tissue metabolism and immunocompetent cell functions. The complexity and heterogeneity of nutritional status and immune system interactions require an integral study of the immunocompetent cells, their subsets and products, as well as specific and non-specific inducer/regulatory systems in situations of human obesity. Additional research is needed to determine the clinical implications of these alterations on immunity and whether various interventions such as weight loss, exercise or nutrient supplementation could help to ameliorate them.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lamas, O., Marti, A. & MartÃnez, J. Obesity and immunocompetence. Eur J Clin Nutr 56 (Suppl 3), S42–S45 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601484
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601484
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Nutrition, inflammation and cancer
Nature Immunology (2017)
-
Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic
Pediatric Nephrology (2017)
-
Obesity and kidney disease: hidden consequences of the epidemic
Journal of Nephrology (2017)
-
Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, and NAFLD
Digestive Diseases and Sciences (2016)
-
Leptin at gender-specific concentrations does not affect glucose transport, expression of glucose transporters and leptin receptors in human lymphocytes
Endocrine (2015)