Hunger

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Physiology of Hunger
In the 1950s, Ancel Keys used volunteers from the
US Army to study hunger.

Procedure

Results

Lethargy

Weight dropped & stabilized at 75% of normal

Concluded that hunger is a response to a

homeostatic system designed to maintain
normal body weight and an adequate nutrient
supply.
Washburn and Cannon found that appetite
lessens if the stomach is shrunk (because
there is less ghrelin)
And older theory was based on the body’s set
point, or natural weight.

If the body was heavier, then it increased the

basal metabolic rate; if lighter, it decreased the
rate.
The body depends primarily on glucose for its
energy.

Insulin (from the pancreas) decreases the

amount of glucose in the system by converting it
into fat.

Leptin is produced by fat cells and decreases

hunger.
The lateral
hypothalamus
increases
hunger.

The ventromedial
hypothalamus decreases
hunger.
Psychology of Hunger
Taste preference is

Biological
There is a genetic predisposition to like sweet
and fatty tastes, but dislike bitter.
There is a genetic distrust of novel foods.

Cultural
You like what you know and are familiar with.
(mere exposure effect)
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
A week’s food
300-400 Calorie meals
300-400 Calorie meals
300-400 Calorie meals
300-400 Calorie meals
300-400 Calorie meals
300-400 Calorie meals
Three major eating disorders:

Anorexia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa

Obesity
Anorexia nervosa is a condition
wherein a person is purposefully 15%
below their normal weight (BMI < 16)

Between ½-1% of Americans suffer

from anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia has the highest mortality

rate (5-10%) of any psychological
disorder.
Bulimia nervosa is a condition
involving cycles of binging and
purging.
Obesity is the most
prevalent eating
disorder in the
United States.
• BMI of 30 or higher

• Check your BMI:

http://tinyurl.com/ll2u