From the 2004 Holiday Lectures — Science of Fat

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Comparison of the change in BMI for a given height and varying weights.

1 minute 21 seconds

Leptin Feedback Control System

Demonstrates how changes in the amount of fat tissue lead to changes in leptin levels and thus changes in appetite.

1 minute 1 second

Location of the Hypothalamus

A 3-D animation that shows the location of the hypothalamus in a mouse's brain.

33 seconds

Leptin Neuronal Rewiring

Illustrates how providing leptin to an obese mouse rapidly rewires its hypothalamus neurons.

1 minute 18 seconds

The Fate of Fat

An overview of how dietary fat gets digested, packaged, and sent to various tissues for storage or energy.

2 minutes 7 seconds

Obesity-Related Health Problems

A timeline illustrating the gradual effects of obesity on the body, including diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart attack.

1 minute 43 seconds

How a Heart Attack Occurs

A 3-D animation that shows how plaques form in a blood vessel, leading to blockage and a heart attack.

37 seconds

PPAR-gamma Activation in the Fat Cell

The PPAR-gamma receptor activates certain genes in a fat cell, resulting in the storage of fat and changes in hormone levels.

2 minutes 48 seconds

PPAR-delta Activation in the Muscle Cell

The PPAR-delta receptor activates certain genes in a muscle cell, resulting in the burning of fat.

1 minute 44 seconds