Obesity : Springer : 9783319469324 : 3319469320 : 23 Jan 2019 : This book presents the latest advances in our understanding of the pathophysiologic basis that induces the chronic positive energy balance necessary to progressively store excessive amounts of fat mass. It highlights the clinical complications of obesity, while also focusing on the major scientific advances that have highlighted the role of genetics, adipose tissue endocrinology and the environment in the mechanisms and causes of obesity. Particular attention is given to the consequences of obesity, including an ever -increasing number of other diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, as well as conditions such as arthropathy, asthma, non-alcoholic liver disease, and dementia. Increasingly recognized uniting causes highlight the role of systemic, local and paracrine actions of adipocytokines in causing inflammation. As we come to better understand how hypothalamic control of energy balance is i