We review the concept of the regulation of body weight and discuss its clinical significance. Evidence that body weight is regulated in animals of normal weight and in some obese animals suggests that some types of obesity manifest regulation of body weight at an elevated level We show that the concept of regulation applies not only to maintenance of a stable body weight, but also to variations of body weight. Endogenous factors related to hibernation, migration, and the ovulatory cycle, and experimental interventions, such as brain lesions and “appetite suppressant” medication, can alter the level at which body weight is regulated. Evidence is presented that body weight regulation may also occur in both normal weight and obese humans. We conclude with a discussion of a new role for “appetite suppressant” medication in the treatment of obesity.

中文翻译：

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体重调节：证据和临床意义

我们回顾体重调节的概念并讨论其临床意义。正常体重动物和某些肥胖动物的体重受到调节的证据表明，某些类型的肥胖症明显对体重进行了较高水平的调节。我们表明，调节的概念不仅适用于维持稳定的体重，还与体重的变化有关。与冬眠、迁徙和排卵周期相关的内源性因素，以及实验干预措施，如脑损伤和“食欲抑制”药物，可以改变体重调节水平。有证据表明体重调节也可能发生在正常体重和肥胖人群中。最后，我们讨论了“食欲抑制”药物在肥胖治疗中的新作用。