Causes of Obesity and Consequences of Obesity Prevention in Non‐human Primates and Other Animal Models

Animal models of obesity may be naturally occurring of unknown aetiology, examples of known gene mutations, or induced by dietary or neuroendocrine manipulation. Spontaneously occurring obesity in rodents and non-human primates is reviewed here as the most relevant to human obesity. Obesity in humans and monkeys develops gradually in ‘middle age’ with accompanying metabolic changes. Despite much research on single gene mutations such as in the leptin or ob genes in animals, the genetic basis for 99% of human obesity is unknown. Multiple genes may be involved in the susceptibility to obesity, interacting with each other and with the environment. In animal models obesity is highly associated with reduced glucose tolerance: properties related to type 2 diabetes and obesity are discussed. While the genetic basis remains unknown, caloric restriction does prevent obesity and associated diseases in animals: the lessons for prevention of human obesity are described.