The chapters range from classic genetic mechanistic understanding through intra-uterine epigenetic influences, factors determining developmental programming, and the new clinical science of perinatal obesogens. Lustig has assembled expert authors to address the fundamental contribution of preprogrammed genetic disorders leading to obesity, as well as the role of very early environmental influences.

“This very timely volume provides an in-depth scholarly overview of a critical challenge facing our society-the obesity epidemic.

This volume will appeal to geneticists, developmental biologists, endocrinologists, epidemiologists, toxicologists, obstetrician/gynecologists, nutritionists, veterinary scientists, animal husbandry researchers, domestic species researchers, and obesity researchers and practitioners. This volume explores the evidence for each of these in detail in human and animal models, and attempts to provide a cohesive analysis of the biochemical bases of obesity. Four distinct prenatal forces have thus far been identified: 1) genetics 2) epigenetics 3) developmental programming and 4) environmental obesogens. Furthermore, many of these biochemical forces are determined in utero resulting in a developmental drive toward obesity and disease in later life. However, there is mounting evidence that biochemical forces can drive obligate weight gain, and that the observed behaviors of increased energy intake and decreased energy expenditure are secondary to these processes. The routine assumption is that obesity is the result of a mismatch between calories in and calories out in other words, the result of two divergent behaviors. Obesity obeys the First Law of Thermodynamics.

Fat Chance by Robert H. Lustig