elucidation of appetite mechanisms and biomarkers has failed to lead to efficacious
interventions. As Armelagos wrote ( 2010 , 2014 ), the obesity epidemic is the result
of a confluence of evolutionarily honed biobehavioral and environmental factors
creating a‘perfect storm.’Perhaps a more accurate analogy would be that of a
broader global climate change. In reality, the epidemic (pandemic) covers a vast
geographic area with human factors escalating changes over a long time period.
Like issues of global environmental change, an effective treatment of current
conditions and the prevention of increasing obesity prevalence have eluded the
efforts of actors from many sectors. Hopefully, neither costs nor misperceptions will
erode future environmental efforts at obesity containment.
Acknowledgments I am grateful to Stephan J. Guyenet for his very helpful comments and
guidance on the neurobiological mechanisms of food intake and weight control. This chapter is
dedicated to George J. Armelagos: teacher, mentor, friend, and colleague.
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