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Predicting and Classifying Rats Prone to Overeating Fat
Book chapter   Peer reviewed

Predicting and Classifying Rats Prone to Overeating Fat

Jessica R. Barson, Irene Morganstern and Sarah F. Leibowitz
Animal Models of Eating Disorders, pp 79-93
17 Oct 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0924-8_5

Abstract

Behavioral prediction Fat consumption Locomotor activity Obesity Triglycerides
The availability and overconsumption of palatable foods rich in fat are contributors to the worldwide epidemic of obesity. With environmental factors and genetic predisposition both playing important roles in this serious health problem, it is crucial to recognize and properly treat individuals who have a greater propensity to eat excessive amounts of fatty foods. Animal studies have been instrumental in this regard, allowing researchers to identify and examine early factors that are associated with and can predict future fat consumption and obesity. The methods for classifying and subgrouping these animals focus on early behavioral and physiological measures. Herein, we describe three of these measures, namely, fat intake over 5 days, novelty-induced locomotor activity, and fat-induced triglyceride levels, which have been successfully used to identify adult outbred rodents that are prone (i.e., have higher propensity) to overeating fat. The early identification of animals prone to overeating fat, in conjunction with tests to characterize their specific phenotype, can yield valuable information regarding the underlying behavioral, physiological, and neurochemical pathways involved in driving excessive fat intake, ultimately leading to an obese state.

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