Pshysiological Control of Appetite Flashcards
Define Appetite
The integrated response to the sight, smell, thought or taste of food that initiates or delays eating
Define Hunger
A painful sensation caused by a lack of food, this initiates food-seeking behaviour
Define Hypothalamus
Brain centre that controls activities such as maintenance of water balance, regulation of body temperature, and control of appetite
Define Endocrine System
It is a collection of glands that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to affect a distant target organ
Define Neurotransmitters
Are endogenous chemicals that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another ‘target’ neuron
Define Hormones
Any member of a class of signalling molecules produced by glands in multicellular organisms that are transported by the circulatory system to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behaviour
Short-term regulation of body weight is governed by the following:
Hunger (postabsorptive), appetite and satiety (postprandial)
The physical trigger for hunger > satiety.
Long-term regulation of body weight is governed by the following:
Feedback mechanism - adipocytokines (signalling protein is released from the adipose mass when normal body composition is disturbed).
This mechanism plays a greater role in younger persons than older adults.
Define Satiation
Prompts the termination of eating.
Controls energy intake in one sitting.
Define Satiety
Fullness that persists after eating. Controls length of time until next meal/snack.
Facts about Macronutrients and Fat Storage
- The body prefers to use CHO as an energy source
- Only excess intake of CHO and Protein will be turned into fat
- Fat will remain as fat for storage
- Physical activity encourages the burning of dietary fat (Beta-oxidation)
- A high CHO diet decreases Beta-oxidation
- Most endurance athletes burn fatty acids for energy
Fat and Fat Storage
Most fat is stored directly in adipose tissue.
The body has the ability to store fat as triglycerides.
CHO and Fat Storage
Limited CHO can be stored as glycogen. 2/3 of glycogen is stored in the muscles, and the rest is stored in the liver.
Most CHO is used as an energy source.
Excessive CHO will be synthesized into fat (for storage).
Protein and Fat Storage
Protein is primarily used for tissue synthesis.
Adults generally consume more protein than needed for tissue synthesis.
Excess protein is used as an energy source.
Some protein will be synthesized into fat (for storage).
How do fat cells form and expand?
The cells can expand to store more fat (hypertrophy). Once filled to capacity, stimulate the production of more fat cells.
Weight loss leads to the shrinking of the adipocyte size but no change in the number of cells.
Enzymes control the size of the fat cells.
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) increases lipogenesis.
Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) stimulates lipolysis.
Heavier people have increased activity of LPL.
How many adipocytes does an adult hold?
30-50 billion, which holds between 0.4-0.5 micrograms of fat each
Adipocytes of obese individuals contain 0.6-12 micrograms of fat per cell.
Explain the Healthy Eating Cycle
Hunger - Anticipation - Eat - Pleasure - Fullness - Satisfaction
What is Hedonistic Regulation?
Reward input
What are Endorphins?
Neurotransmitters produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus - the brain’s pleasure chemicals.
They enhance the desire for food by the smell, sight, or taste of foods.