Physiological Regulation of Macronutrient Balance

For centuries the concept of energy balance has provided the bedrock for research into the mechanisms controlling body weight. However, in recent years there has been growing interest in the regulation of the individual macronutrients that combine to determine the energy status of an individual. Thus the classical energy balance equation can be more accurately represented as the integrated sum of each individual macronutrient (Figure 9.1). This chapter will discuss the evidence for the physiological regulation of macronutrient balance and the implications for the prevention and treatment of obesity.