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 influenced by endocrine signaling from the gut and adipose tissue, it paves the way for new therapeutic targets and a resurgence of pharmacological and surgical approaches to treatment.
Written by respected experts in the field, this volume is intended as a major reference source for endocrinologists, nutritionists, basic and clinical scientists alike.
About the Author: Paolo Sbraccia is Full Professor of Internal Medicine in the Department of Systems Medicine of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Chief of the Internal Medicine Unit and Obesity Center (EASO accredited Collaborating Centre for Obesity Management) at the University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Director of the Specialization School in Internal Medicine, and Chairman of the Undergraduate Course in Dietetics.
Prof. Sbraccia is also currently serving as President of the Italian Federation of Endocrinology, Diabetology, Andrology, Metabolism and Obesity and as Vice President of the Italian Barometer Diabetes Observatory. In addition, he is Past President of the Italian Society of Obesity and a member of the European Medicines Agency's Scientific Advisory Group on Diabetes/Endocrinology.
In 2011, on behalf of SIO, he coordinated the Steering Committee for the Italian Guidelines for the Management of Obesity, and in 2016 he was Editor of the book "Clinical Management of Overweight and Obesity, Recommendations of the Italian Society of Obesity (SIO)". Professor Sbraccia is also a member of the editorial boards and reviewer panels of various scientific journals; he was recently Editor of the book "Clinical Management of Overweight and Obesity, Recommendations of the Italian Society of Obesity (SIO)" and coordinated an SIO steering committee for the Italian Guidelines for the Management of Obesity.
Nick Finer has been since 2016 Senior Principal Clinical Scientist with Novo Nordisk, Global Medical Affairs. He is also Honorary Clinical Professor in the National Centre for Cardiovascular Prevention and Outcomes within the Institute of Cardiovascular Science at University College London. Qualifying in Biochemistry and Medicine at University College London, Finer has held senior clinical and academic appointments as an Endocrinologist, Obesity and Internal Medicine Physician at UMDS Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals, Luton and Dunstable Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Cambridge and University College Hospital London. Nick Finer is an elected Fellow of the US Obesity Society, and of the UK Association for Nutrition; in 2013 he received the Bisset Hawkins Medal 'for work in advancing sanitary science or in promoting public health' awarded by the Royal College of Physicians. Finer chaired World Obesity - Clinical Care until 2015, developing the SCOPE educational programme. He is past-chair of the UK Association for the Study of Obesity. Finer co-authored the Royal College of Physicians report 'Action on obesity: comprehensive care for all', was a member of the UK Government Advisory Group on Obesity, the Clinical Reference Group that advised NHS England on commissioning of specialist obesity services, and the NICE Public Health Advisory Group. Finer is editor-in-chief of Clinical Obesity and has published (more than 200 peer reviewed papers) and lectured extensively on obesity and its complications as an internationally invited speaker.
