Obesity, overnutrition and the immune system

The increasing prevalence of obesity, particularly in developing countries is a major health concern due to the high risk factor that overweight and obesity represent in a number of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancers. Nutritional status has an important influence on the immune system and its function is very sensitive to nutritional changes. Both under- and overnutrition are known to alter immunocompetence. While slight excess of several nutrients, specially in populations at risk of nutrient deficiencies, can stimulate immune system, excessive intake of lipids and many micronutrients is known to have adverse consequences on various components of the immune system. Obesity is associated with alteration in cellular immunity in both animal and human studies. Nutritional, metabolic and endocrine factors are implicated in the immunological changes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.