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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Diabetes Sci Technol / Medical implications of obesity in horses–lessons for ...
Journal of diabetes science and technology2010; 3(1); 163-174; doi: 10.1177/193229680900300119

Medical implications of obesity in horses–lessons for human obesity.

Abstract: There is growing recognition that obesity is common and represents a significant detriment to the health of companion animals in a manner similar to that by which it is affecting the human population. As is the case for other species, obesity appears to promote insulin resistance in horses and it is through this pathophysiological process that many of the adverse medical consequences of obesity are being characterized. Equine medical conditions that have been described in the context of obesity and insulin resistance differ from those in humans. Chronic human conditions that have been attributed to obesity and insulin resistance, such as atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, are rarely described in obese horses. Significant current interest is centered on the recognition that insulin resistance plays a role in the pathogenesis of laminitis, a potentially severe and debilitating cause of lameness in the equine species. Other equine medical conditions that are more likely in obese, insulin-resistant individuals include hyperlipemia (hepatic lipidosis) and developmental orthopedic disease (osteochondrosis). Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing's syndrome) represents another common endocrinopathic condition of older horses associated with insulin resistance. This review presents an introductory overview of the present understanding of obesity and insulin resistance and how these conditions may be associated with disease conditions in horses.
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Publication Date: 2010-01-05 PubMed ID: 20046661PubMed Central: PMC2769846DOI: 10.1177/193229680900300119Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the increasing prevalence of obesity in horses, its negative impact on their health, and how it can provide insights into human obesity. The study focuses on the association of obesity with insulin resistance in horses, resulting in various medical conditions. While these conditions in horses differ from those in humans, the insight it provides can be used to evaluate and manage obesity and insulin resistance in both species.

Overview of the Link between Obesity and Insulin Resistance

  • Obesity is becoming more prevalent among companion animals, mirroring the rise seen in the human population.
  • In horses, as in other species, obesity often leads to insulin resistance, which is a major pathophysiological condition associated with several medical problems.
  • Even though horses and humans both encounter obesity and insulin resistance, the resulting medical conditions can significantly differ between the species.
  • Atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, common conditions associated with obesity and insulin resistance in humans, are rarely seen in horses.

Insulin Resistance and Equine Medical Conditions

  • The main interest lies in the role insulin resistance plays in the pathogenesis of laminitis, a severe and debilitating cause of lameness in horses.
  • Other medical conditions more likely to be seen in obese and insulin-resistant horses include hyperlipemia, also known as hepatic lipidosis, and developmental orthopedic disease, specifically osteochondrosis.
  • In older horses, Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (equine Cushing’s syndrome) is a common endocrinopathic condition that is often related to insulin resistance.

Understanding and Addressing Obesity and Insulin Resistance

  • The research presents an introductory comprehension of obesity and insulin resistance, along with-related disease conditions seen in horses.
  • The information provided by such studies could play a crucial role in properly understanding, evaluating, and managing obesity and insulin resistance not only in horses but extendable to humans.

Cite This Article

APA
Johnson PJ, Wiedmeyer CE, Messer NT, Ganjam VK. (2010). Medical implications of obesity in horses–lessons for human obesity. J Diabetes Sci Technol, 3(1), 163-174. https://doi.org/10.1177/193229680900300119

Publication

Journal of diabetes science and technology
ISSN: 1932-2968
NlmUniqueID: 101306166
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 3
Issue: 1
Pages: 163-174

Researcher Affiliations

Johnson, Philip J
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA. JohnsonPJ@missouri.edu
Wiedmeyer, Charles E
    Messer, Nat T
      Ganjam, Venkataseshu K

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
        • Horses
        • Humans
        • Insulin Resistance / physiology
        • Obesity / complications
        • Obesity / physiopathology
        • Obesity / veterinary

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