Hunger

Hunger does NOT come from our stomach, it comes from our brain

Glucose: the form of sugar that circulates in the door provides the major source of energy

• glucose low= hunger
• glucose high = feel full
• the hormone insulin converts glucose to fat

Lateral hypothalamus: when stimulated it makes you hungry 

-when lesioned (destroyed) you will never be hungry again

Ventromedial hypothalamus: when stimulated you feel full

-when lesioned, you will never feel full again

There are several environmental factors that affect out hunger

1. Availability of food
2. Learned preference and habits
3. Stress

Set point theory: the hypothalamus acts like a thermostat

• wants to maintain a stable weight
• activate the lateral and when you diet and activate the ventromedial when you start to gain weight

Bulimia  nervosa: characterized by binging (eating large amounts of food) and purging (getting rid of the food)

Anorexia nervosa: starve themselves to below 85% of their normal body weight 

• see themselves as fat
• vast majority are women

Obesity: severely overweight to the point where it causes health issues

• mostly eating habits but some people are predisposed towards obesity