Obesity is a critical public health problem as it is a risk factor for many human diseases, including diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. The cross-talk between mTOR, an ancient nutritional cellular sensor critically involved in cell growth and metabolism, and neuro-immune-endocrine metabolic controllers, to regulate and

integrate signals of energy balance, lipid metabolism and inflammation opens new avenues in the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related atherosclerosis and cancer. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in obesity-induced atherosclerosis, may lead to identification of potential targets for therapeutic interventions.