Korean J Gastroenterol.  2012 Jan;59(1):1-7. 10.4166/kjg.2012.59.1.1.

Obesity and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Lee KJ

• KMID: 1775826
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2012.59.1.1

Abstract

Obesity is prevalent in Korea. An increase in food intake and a decrease in energy expenditure are responsible for obesity. Gut hormones play a role in controlling food intake. Obesity is suggested to be linked to common gastrointestinal functional disorders. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Epidemiologic studies indicate that obesity is associated with chronic gastrointestinal symptoms. This association suggests the possibility that obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders may be pathophysiologically linked. However, data on the relationship between obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders are inconsistent. In this paper, we review the role of gastrointestinal hormones in food intake and the relationship between obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Keyword

Functional gastrointestinal disorders; Gut hormones; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Barrett Esophagus/*etiology
Energy Intake
Energy Metabolism
Esophageal Neoplasms/*etiology
Gastroesophageal Reflux/*etiology
Humans
Obesity/*complications/pathology
Peptide Hormones/metabolism/physiology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Pathogenetic mechanisms of obesity.

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  Fig. 2 A schematic representation of the complex pathways involved in the regulation of food intake (modified from reference 1). NTS, nucleus of the solitary tract; CCK, cholecystokinin; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; NPY, neuropeptide Y; AGRP, Agouti-related peptide; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; CART, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript; CRH, corticotropin-releasing hormone; TRH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone; OXY, oxytocin; MCH, melanin-concentrating hormone.

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