In recent years, we've developed a much better grasp of the biological and other factors associated with the development of obesity. Reflecting our evolving understanding of causes and consequences, Handbook of Obesity: Epidemiology, Etiology, and Physiopathology provides comprehensive coverage of the biological, behavioral, and environmental determinants of this critical condition. This new edition is divided into five sections exploring essential factors involved in obesity research:

• History, Definitions, and Prevalence: Changes over time surrounding our notion of obesity, adiposity traits, and the epidemiology of obesity in various populations
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• Biological Determinants of Obesity: Genetic and epigenetic evidence, fetal life and postnatal influences, the use of animal models in research, endocrine issues, molecular aspects, and issues related to viral infection and adiposity
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• Behavioral Determinants of Obesity: The effects of food and ingestive behavior, smoking, breastfeeding, sleep duration, work/leisure time activity, and sedentary behavior
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• Environmental, Social, and Cultural Determinants of Obesity: The role of agriculture and the food industry, the urban environment, social and economic aspects, cultural factors, environmental pollutants, and economic costs
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• Consequences of Obesity: How excess weight affects and exacerbates a range of comorbid conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disorders, arthritis, and cancer
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This volume assembles the work of worldwide experts to deliver an up-to-date survey of the most essential information related to the causes of the obesity epidemic.