Mechanisms of Metabolic Fuel Selection: Modeling Human Metabolism and Body-Weight Change

In this review, the current state of mathematical modeling of human metabolism was outlined together with the regulation of body weight and body composition. The following topics were discussed: energy balance models of body-weight change; mass-energy conversion factor and its relationship to body composition change; modelling steady-state changes of body weight; weight-loss kinetic modeling; metabolic fuel selection modelling beyond energy-balance models; fuel selection physiological mechanisms modelling; and, applications to wasting conditions such as cancer cachexia and future directions.