Abstract

Obesity is a serious problem that represents a sizeable burden on the health of individuals and their families: it generates greater disability, reduces productivity, increases disease and premature death. Traditionally, the pathogenesis of obesity has been thought to be the result of an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure that favors weight gain. However, it corresponds to a more complex interaction between genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Several studies have focused on thermodynamic principles applied to energy sensors in humans that trigger different metabolic responses when exposed to periods of both fasting and overfeeding. Such studies help determine the metabolic phenotypes of individuals who are more susceptible to variations in body weight. The identification of metabolic phenotypes may aid in the development of preventive strategies, such as personalized therapies to control excess weight, favor the recovery of a healthy weight and avoid or control associated health problems. The aim of this review is to analyze the characteristics of the thrifty metabolic phenotype, and the physiological mechanisms involved, that will allow the design of future individualized strategies for the prevention and/or treatment of patients with overweight or obesity.