Research

Energy balance

Orexin system deficiency or dysfunction causes obesity in animal models by reducing spontaneous physical activity (SPA) and energy expenditure, independent of caloric intake.

Focus on increasing spontaneous physical activity (fidgeting, standing, non-exercise movement) as a metabolic lever. If you struggle with weight despite dieting, consider that your body's arousal/energy regulation systems (potentially involving orexin) might be suppressing your natural movement. Incorporating more non-exercise movement may help regulate energy expenditure.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Orexin signaling promotes obesity resistance via enhanced spontaneous physical activity and energy expenditure regulation and the deficiency/dysfunction in orexins system lead to obesity in animal models despite of lower calories intake than wildtype associated with reduced physical activity.
Sergio Chieffi et al. · Frontiers in Physiology · 2017

Why this rating

The paper is a review citing multiple animal studies; it does not present new primary clinical trial data.

Source

Orexin System: The Key for a Healthy Life

Sergio Chieffi et al. · Frontiers in Physiology · 2017

DOI 10.3389/fphys.2017.00357

narrative_reviewCited 221×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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