Final answer:
The statement that most obese humans are deficient in leptin is false; rather, they often have high levels of leptin but may suffer from leptin resistance, leading to disrupted appetite regulation and overeating.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Leptin and Obesity
Most obese humans are leptin sufficient, meaning they have high levels of leptin due to a larger quantity of adipose tissue. However, the statement 'Most obese humans are deficient in leptin' is false.
Instead, many obese individuals suffer from leptin resistance, where they have high levels of leptin but their bodies do not respond to it effectively. This lack of response to the hormone's satiety signal can lead to overeating and further weight gain, thereby contributing to obesity.
Leptin is a hormone produced by adipose tissue that regulates appetite by signaling the brain to reduce hunger and food intake when fat reserves are sufficient.
When someone is resistant to leptin, these signals do not work as they should, which can lead to continuous eating despite the body having enough stored fat.
This can exacerbate the condition of obesity and its related health risks, which include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and more.