Figure 1.

Obesity mediated alterations in nutrient sensitive pathways. Overnutrition in obesity leads to an increase in insulin and glucose. Insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 and downstream pathways are activated increasing fuel metabolism and cell growth through Akt-dependent pathways. Energy sensing pathways such as AMP-activated protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin are potential targets to blunt cell growth either through caloric restriction or pharmacologically.