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Obesity

Causes and control of excess body fat

Nature volume 459, pages 340–342 (2009)Cite this article

Obesity is a major health problem in developed countries and a growing one in the developing world. It increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, fatty liver and some forms of cancer. A better understanding of the biological basis of obesity should aid its prevention and treatment.

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Figure 1: Leptin and the control of body fat.
Figure 2: Feeding is a complex, motivational behaviour.

FURTHER READING

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jeffrey M. Friedman is at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA. friedj@rockefeller.edu ,

    Jeffrey M. Friedman

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  1. Jeffrey M. Friedman
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Competing interests

Jeffery M. Friedman consults for Amylin Pharmaceuticals. He also has a financial interest in leptin through the Rockefeller University patent policy.

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Friedman, J. Causes and control of excess body fat. Nature 459, 340–342 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/459340a

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