Trans fatty acids and weight gain.

Int J Obes (Lond). 2010 Jul 20. [Epub ahead of print] Trans fatty acids and weight gain. Thompson AK, Minihane AM, Williams CM. Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, UK. Abstract Increasing rates of obesity have stimulated research into possible contributing factors, including specific dietary components such as trans fatty acids (TFAs). This review considers the evidence for an association between TFA intake and weight gain. It concludes that there is limited but consistent evidence from epidemiological studies, and from a primate model, that increased TFA consumption may result in a small additional weight gain. Data from a long-term study in a primate model suggest that TFA may have a greater adipogenic effect than cis monounsaturated fatty acids; however, there are currently inadequate mechanistic data to provide a comprehensive and plausible explanation for any such metabolic differences between the types of fatty acids.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 20 July 2010; doi:10.1038/ijo.2010.141.