1) Afferent arm: conveys peripheral information on hunger metabolism, in the form of neural & hormonal inputs, to the hypothalamus 2) Central processing unit: consists of different areas within the hypothalamus. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) integrates afferent peripheral signals; Lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) & paraventricular nuclei (PVN) serve as neurotransmitter system to alter neural signals for changes in energy expenditure & feeding. 3) Efferent arm: network of autonomic effectors, which regulate energy expenditure, storage & intake. Disruption in any of these arms can alter energy intake or expenditure, leading to either cachexia or obesity. Efferent output The adipocyte hormone leptin, which circulates at concentrations proportional to body-fat content, plays an important role in the relationship between obesity and energy homeostasis. A deficiency of leptin causes severe hyperphagia and obesity, with physiological leptin replacement corrects both hyperphagia and obesity in leptin-deficient individuals. But most individuals with obesity have elevated plasma leptin levels, raising the possibility that common forms of obesity are associated with leptin resistance. 1. Lifestyle and diet: Lack of physical activity is a major contributor to childhood obesity. Evolution of multimedia, television, internet, video-games are engaging the child in sedentary lifestyle. Parents are now more con>