Figure 2

Relationship between energy storage, inflammation, thermogenesis, hunger and survival. As fat mass increases, it sends out a proportionally bigger inflammatory signal that also induces insulin resistance: this might compensate for the normal inflammatory suppression of orexia. Thus, it is a normal survival response selected for by evolution, as both storage of energy, and the ability to mount a strong immune response, were strong survival traits. It is likely that during ancient times there was never such a thing as a 'free lunch'; before the advent of civilisation it was unlikely that there were extended periods (e.g. beyond a year) when food was plentiful and there was little need to move to get it.