Obesity is associated with increased body fat composition and elevated risk of metabolic and cardiovascular 
disease. The activity of the renin-angiotensin system is generally increased in obesity and experimental evidence has 
shown that angiotensin influences appetite and metabolism as well as mechanisms that induce adipose tissue growth and 
metabolism in peripheral organs. This review summarises some of the key evidence from animal and human experiments 
that links the renin-angiotensin system to obesity and metabolic disease. This research has been greatly aided by the 
continuing development of new pharmaceuticals that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system. While their primary use is in 
the treatment of hypertension and heart failure, a range of experimental and clinical evidence indicates their potential use 
in the treatment of obesity and metabolic disease.