THE NEUROBIOLOGY OF OVEREATING: DOPAMINE’S ROLE IN OBESITY

Today, obesity has become a global pandemic affecting billions of people worldwide. It is associated with increased risks of various diseases, including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, psychiatric disorders, cancer, and diabetes, making it a significant public health issue. Obesity has also been linked to an elevated risk of metabolic diseases and changes in brain structure and function. The body mass index (BMI) is widely used to determine excessive weight in relation to height and age. However, BMI may not be accurate for everyone, and BMI z-scores are employed when analyzing data on children and adolescents. The accumulation of excess body fat, which contributes to obesity, is attributed to an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, controlled by the brain’s central nervous system. Disturbances in the brain circuits that regulate energy balance can impact body weight and adiposity, often involving changes in neurotransmission, which may be addressed with CNS-targeting drugs. The pathogenesis of obesity is characterized by a chronic energy imbalance between excessive calorie intake and inadequate calorie expenditure, primarily driven by decreased physical activity. Hormones and peptides produced by the enteric nervous system, such as cholecystokinin, ghrelin, and leptin, influence hunger and fullness, while leptin, an adipocyte-produced hormone, regulates energy expenditure and food intake. In conclusion, Understanding the pathogenesis and physiological mechanisms underlying obesity is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.