Marine-derived bioactive compounds with anti-obesity effect: A review

• The anti-obesity compounds from marine sources were proposed.
• Marine lipids, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids and others were discussed.
• The action mechanism of each compound was summarised.

The incidence of obesity, caused by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, has dramatically risen in recent years. Obesity is becoming a worldwide burden to public health. In many epidemic studies a lower prevalence of obesity-related diseases is observed in seafood-consuming population, suggesting a beneficial role of marine foods against obesity. It is believed that some functional ingredients in marine foods account for their anti-obesity effect. In this review, the cause and mechanism of obesity are first discussed in order to better understand how functional compounds can alleviate obesity. In addition, a series of anti-obesity components derived from marine origin, especially edible sources, are summarised, including lipids, polysaccharides, phlorotannins, carotenoids and others, with an emphasis on their efficacy and mechanism of action. Due to their anti-obesity effect, these marine-derived compounds might be excellent sources in the development of functional food against obesity.