The Obesities: Various Paradigms Addressing a Single Problem

Abstract

This article provides a commentary on the article titled "The Obesities: An Overview of Convergent and Divergent Paradigms" by Karasu. Addressing the concept of obesity from various viewpoints, the article reflects the multicausal nature of a problem many societies are facing. Despite the ongoing controversy on who is to blame for the obesity epidemic, the underlying concept of obesity remains an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. These 2 components, therefore, need to be considered in synchrony rather than being separated. Similarly, the complex interaction between individual, environmental, and physiological constraints warrants a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the understanding of the regulation of energy balance rather than a separation into several different areas of "obesities."

Keywords: commentary; diet; energy balance; excess body weight; obesity; physical activity.