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In the last 20 years the rapid increase in obesity and associated pathologies in developed countries has been accompanied
by intensification of research efforts and subsequently a substantial increase in the knowledge of the physiological and molecular
mechanisms regulating body mass.
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These efforts have resulted in the recent discovery of new peripheral hormonal signals as well as new neuropeptides, involved
in body-weight homeostasis.
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This review summarizes new research findings in the area of energy balance regulation, starting from the original classical
hypotheses proposing metabolite sensing, through peripheral tissue–brain interactions, and coming full circle to the recently
discovered pathways regulating energy homeostasis.
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Understanding these molecular mechanisms will provide new pharmacological targets for the treatment of obesity and eating
disorders and associated comorbidities.
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Key Words Body-weight homeostasis – Energy balance regulation – Obesity – Eating disorders