Weight Changes (Increase and Decrease)

Throughout the evolutionary history of humans, several important factors have been positively selected that can contribute to a higher body weight. Compared to great apes, this is, for example, the better energy storage in adipose tissue. In addition, energy shortages in the womb are crucial for a non-genetically determined weight gain in childhood (Barker phenomenon). In chronic inflammation, patients tend to have a normal weight or at most slight overweight. The inflammation prevents the storage of energy reserves. In aging humans, there is generally a weight loss from the age of 65 onwards. However, weight gain can also dominate up to this point, which is evident in today’s western world. Several reasons for this weight gain are mentioned. The vicious cycle of weight gain is described in more detail.