Obesity is a complex, generally chronic medical condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, which can lead to multiple adverse health outcomes in man. The development and progression of obesity are influenced by a wide variety of factors, including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and metabolism. Metabolism plays a crucial role in regulating energy balance, including energy intake and expenditure, and its dysregulation can therefore contribute significantly to the development of obesity. At the centre of obesity lies the concept of energy balance, the equilibrium between energy intake (calories consumed) and energy expended (calories burned for various physiological processes and physical activity). When energy intake exceeds expenditure the resulting accumulation of excess body fat can lead to obesity. Basal metabolic rate (BMR), the energy expenditure at rest required to maintain basic physiological functions, such as breathing, circulation, and cell maintenance, accounts for a significant portion of daily energy expenditure and is influenced by various factors, including age, gender, body composition, and thyroid function. Individuals with higher BMRs tend to burn more calories at rest and may therefore be more resistant to weight gain. Hormones play a critical role in obesity by regulating appetite and food intake. Ghrelin is secreted by the stomach and stimulates appetite, whilst leptin, produced by adipose tissue, acts as a satiety hormone, signalling to the brain that sufficient energy stores are present. In obesity, dysregulation of these hormones’ pathways can lead to increased appetite and reduced sensitivity to satiety signals, contributing to weight gain.Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a key role in glucose metabolism. Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage. In obesity, chronic excess caloric intake and sedentary behaviour can lead to insulin resistance, where cells become less responsive to insulin's actions. Insulin resistance then promotes the storage of excess glucose as fat, further contributing to weight gain and obesity. In obesity, adipose tissue also undergoes significant changes in lipid metabolism. Enlarged adipocytes (fat cells) promote increased release of free fatty acids into the bloodstream, contributing to dyslipidaemia and increased fat accumulation in other tissues, such as the liver and muscle. Such ectopic fat accumulation is associated with insulin resistance and further metabolic complications. The gut microbiota, the collection of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract, also plays a role in energy metabolism and obesity. Disturbances in the gut microbiota composition are associated with obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Certain bacteria may also promote more efficient energy extraction from food, leading to increased calorie absorption and weight gain. Finally, obesity is characterized by a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, with increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory state may contribute to insulin resistance and associated metabolic dysregulation. The adipose tissue, particularly visceral fat, is a main source of pro-inflammatory mediators in obesity. In obese individuals, adipose tissue contains a higher proportion of macrophages which can release various inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), thereby contributing to systemic inflammation. We provide a wide product catalogue of research reagents for investigating obesity, including IRS1 antibodies, NF-kB p65 antibodies, FOXO1A antibodies, BDNF ELISA Kits, and Leptin ELISA Kits. Explore our full obesity product range below and discover more, for less.