Science of Fat

Lecture 1 – Deconstructing Obesity

by Jeffrey M. Friedman, MD, PhD
  1.  1.  Start of Lecture 1
  2.  2.  Introduction by HHMI President Dr. Thomas Cech
  3.  3.  Introductory interview with Dr. Jeffrey Friedman
  4.  4.  Understanding human diversity through science
  5.  5.  People have opinions about what causes obesity
  6.  6.  Obesity is associated with many diseases
  7.  7.  Definition of obesity and the body mass index (BMI)
  8.  8.  Animation: BMI and body shape
  9.  9.  Limitations of BMI
  10. 10.  What causes obesity?
  11. 11.  Is the lack of willpower the main cause of obesity?
  12. 12.  Obesity as a result of energy input/output imbalance
  13. 13.  Eating is a basic biological drive and can overwhelm willpower
  14. 14.  The role of environment as a cause of obesity may be exaggerated
  15. 15.  Q&A: Why the difference in obesity between U.S. and Europe?
  16. 16.  Q&A: Is obesity linked to depression or other emotional states?
  17. 17.  Q&A: Are there racial differences in the tendency to be obese?
  18. 18.  Adoption and twin studies show that obesity is highly heritable
  19. 19.  A genetic example of obesity: Leptin deficiency
  20. 20.  Genetically engineered leptin-deficient mouse
  21. 21.  Leptin, a hormone secreted by fat, influences appetite
  22. 22.  Animation: Leptin feedback-control system
  23. 23.  Leptin deficiency causes obesity; leptin replacement cures it
  24. 24.  In most obese people, leptin sensitivity is reduced
  25. 25.  Only a subset of obese people responds to leptin therapy
  26. 26.  Biology is the main cause of obesity
  27. 27.  Q&A: Are there other hormones that control weight?
  28. 28.  Q&A: Is there a connection between leptin and age?
  29. 29.  Q&A: Have you thought about marketing leptin injections?
  30. 30.  Closing remarks by HHMI President Dr. Thomas Cech


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