💪Physiology of Motivated Behaviors Unit 5 – Hunger and Eating Behaviors

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Hunger refers to the physiological drive to consume food and is regulated by complex interactions between the brain, hormones, and the digestive system
• Satiety is the feeling of fullness and satisfaction after eating that suppresses further hunger
• Appetite encompasses the psychological desire to eat, which can be influenced by various factors such as emotions, social cues, and food palatability
• Ghrelin, known as the "hunger hormone," is produced by the stomach and stimulates appetite by acting on the hypothalamus
  • Ghrelin levels increase before meals and decrease after eating
• Leptin, the "satiety hormone," is released by adipose tissue and signals the brain to reduce food intake and increase energy expenditure
• Homeostatic eating involves consuming food to maintain energy balance and is regulated by physiological hunger and satiety signals
• Hedonic eating, also known as "pleasure-driven eating," is motivated by the rewarding aspects of food, such as taste, smell, and texture, rather than physiological needs

Physiological Mechanisms of Hunger

• The hypothalamus plays a central role in regulating hunger and satiety by integrating signals from the digestive system, hormones, and other brain regions
• The arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus contains two key populations of neurons: appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) AgRP/NPY neurons and appetite-suppressing (anorexigenic) POMC/CART neurons
• Ghrelin activates AgRP/NPY neurons, increasing appetite, while leptin inhibits these neurons and activates POMC/CART neurons, reducing appetite
• The stomach's stretching during eating triggers the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which stimulates vagal afferents to signal satiety to the brain
• Blood glucose levels influence hunger; low levels stimulate hunger, while high levels promote satiety
  • The brain, particularly the hypothalamus, monitors glucose levels and adjusts food intake accordingly
• Insulin, released by the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose, acts on the hypothalamus to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure
• Peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) are released by the intestines after eating and contribute to feelings of satiety

Neural Circuits Involved in Eating

• The hypothalamus integrates peripheral signals and communicates with other brain regions to regulate eating behavior
• The lateral hypothalamus (LH) contains orexin neurons that promote appetite and food-seeking behavior
• The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is involved in satiety and energy balance regulation
• The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus receives input from the ARC and regulates food intake and energy expenditure
• The mesolimbic dopamine system, which includes the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc), is involved in the rewarding aspects of eating
  • Palatable foods activate this system, potentially leading to overconsumption
• The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in decision-making and self-control related to eating behavior
• The amygdala processes emotional responses to food and plays a role in learned food preferences and aversions
• The hippocampus is involved in forming memories related to food experiences and can influence future eating behavior

Hormonal Regulation of Appetite

• Ghrelin, produced by the stomach, stimulates hunger by activating AgRP/NPY neurons in the hypothalamus and promoting food-seeking behavior
• Leptin, secreted by adipose tissue, suppresses appetite by inhibiting AgRP/NPY neurons and activating POMC/CART neurons in the hypothalamus
  • Leptin resistance can occur in obesity, leading to reduced satiety signaling despite high leptin levels
• Insulin, released by the pancreas, acts on the hypothalamus to reduce appetite and increase energy expenditure
• Cholecystokinin (CCK), secreted by the intestines in response to food intake, stimulates vagal afferents to signal satiety to the brain
• Peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), released by the intestines after eating, promote feelings of fullness and reduce appetite
• Cortisol, a stress hormone, can stimulate appetite and lead to increased food intake, particularly of high-calorie, palatable foods
• Sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone, can influence appetite and eating behavior
  • Estrogen tends to have an appetite-suppressing effect, while testosterone may increase appetite

Psychological Factors in Eating Behavior

• Emotional eating involves consuming food in response to negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, or sadness, rather than physiological hunger
• Boredom eating occurs when individuals eat to alleviate feelings of boredom or to seek stimulation
• Restrained eating is characterized by intentional efforts to restrict food intake to control body weight, which can lead to disinhibited eating when self-control is undermined
• Disinhibited eating involves a loss of control over food intake, often in response to external cues or emotional triggers
• Food cravings are intense desires for specific foods that can be influenced by various factors, such as stress, hormonal changes, and sensory cues
• Learned food preferences and aversions can develop through classical conditioning, where food is associated with positive or negative experiences
• Mindful eating involves paying attention to the sensory aspects of food and eating experiences without judgment, which can help regulate food intake and promote a healthy relationship with food

Disorders of Eating and Appetite

• Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe restriction of food intake, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image
• Bulimia nervosa involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives or diuretics
• Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food in a short period, accompanied by a sense of loss of control and feelings of distress
• Night eating syndrome involves consuming a significant portion of daily caloric intake after the evening meal or during nighttime awakenings
• Pica is a condition in which individuals crave and consume non-food substances, such as clay, chalk, or ice
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterized by a persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional or energy needs due to a lack of interest in food, sensory sensitivities, or fear of adverse consequences
• Obesity is a complex disorder characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, which can result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors

Environmental and Social Influences

• Food availability and accessibility can significantly impact eating behavior, with greater exposure to high-calorie, palatable foods leading to increased consumption
• Portion sizes have increased over time, contributing to overconsumption and the prevalence of obesity
• Social norms and cultural practices influence eating habits, such as the types of foods consumed, meal timing, and portion sizes
• Family and peer influences can shape eating behaviors through modeling, encouragement, or pressure to eat certain foods or quantities
• Food marketing and advertising can influence food choices and consumption, particularly for highly processed, high-calorie foods
• Socioeconomic status can impact access to healthy food options and nutrition education, with lower-income populations often facing greater barriers to maintaining a balanced diet
• The built environment, including the presence of food outlets, parks, and walkable neighborhoods, can influence eating habits and physical activity levels

Practical Applications and Current Research

• Mindfulness-based interventions, such as mindful eating training, can help individuals develop a healthier relationship with food and improve eating behaviors
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can be effective in treating eating disorders by addressing underlying psychological factors and promoting healthy coping strategies
• Pharmacological treatments, such as appetite suppressants (e.g., liraglutide) or binge eating medications (e.g., lisdexamfetamine), can be used in conjunction with lifestyle modifications for obesity and binge eating disorder
• Bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, can be an effective treatment for severe obesity when lifestyle interventions have been unsuccessful
• Nutritional education and counseling can help individuals make informed food choices, develop balanced eating habits, and maintain a healthy body weight
• Research on the gut-brain axis is exploring the role of the gut microbiome in regulating appetite, metabolism, and eating behavior
• Personalized nutrition approaches, based on individual genetic, metabolic, and microbiome profiles, are being investigated to optimize dietary interventions and improve health outcomes
• Innovative technologies, such as smartphone apps and wearable devices, are being developed to monitor eating habits, provide personalized feedback, and support behavior change