Behavioral and Environmental Factors in Obesity Development in Pets

Dear Colleagues,

Obesity is the main nutritional issue found in pets and is attributable to disrupted intake of nutrients or energy expenditure, as well as internal imbalances between the two processes. Nutritional balance is influenced by the hypothalamus, neurotransmitters, vagal activity, and sympathetic nervous activity. Direct complications of obesity, associated with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, include diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Indirect complications of the disorder include effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal, immune, integumentary, and gastrointestinal systems. Long-term treatment of obesity can be successful by implementing a changed diet and introducing exercise among the animal's daily activities. This Special Issue, titled "Behavioral and Environmental Factors in Obesity Development in Pets", addresses the need to increase knowledge of the relationship between obesity in pets and the environmental and behavioral factors that influence its onset. In both humans and pets, behavior modification is an important part of the long-term treatment and control of obesity. This special issue will foster collaboration among scientists engaged in all aspects of research on this complex disorder.

Dr. Raffaella Cocco
Guest Editor

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