Association between Obesity and Circadian Clock

Abstract

Data from World Health Organization show that: worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980; in 2014, more than 1.9 billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight, of these over 600 million were obese; 39% of adults aged 18 years and over were overweight in 2014, and 13% were obese; 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2013 [1]. The aim of this comment is to make a brief review of the research on circadian rhythm and their participation in the development of obesity in humans. Recent findings onto the molecular, genetic, neural, and physiologic basis for the generation and organization of circadian clocks in mammals have revealed interactions between the circadian clock system and critical pathways for the regulation of metabolism and energy balance [2]. Circadian rhythmicity that has been shaped by evolution over millions of years generates an internal timing controlling the sleepwake and metabolism cycles [3]. Also, life on earth has evolved under the daily rhythm of light and dark. Consequently, most creatures experience a daily rhythm in food availability [4].