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Brain of overweight people works differently: A study on hypothalamus and appetite control
10.08.2023 07:40
Updated: 13.05.2024 21:24
New research shows that it's actually harder for some people to maintain healthy weight.
Cambridge's scientists have discovered that the hypothalamus, a vital brain region that controls hunger and appetite, exhibits differences between people who are overweight or have obesity compared to people who manage to maintain a healthy weight.
Let's find out more about the effect this little brain region has on people's appetite and weight.
A small region that plays a huge role
With over 1.9 billion people globally categorized as overweight or obese, understanding these links is crucial.
Nearly two-thirds of UK adults are overweight or have obesity, which raises the risk of various health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and even mental health issues.
The hypothalamus, a small almond-sized brain region, plays a role in signaling hunger and fullness, although direct human research on this area is limited due to its size.
Learn more about the research
The team, led by Dr. Stephanie Brown from the University of Cambridge, employed machine learning and MRI scans from 1,351 young adults with different BMI scores to explore hypothalamic differences in various weight groups.
They discovered that overweight and obese people had significantly larger hypothalamus volumes, particularly in sub-regions controlling appetite through hormone release.
Prior animal studies have demonstrated that inflammation in the hypothalamus can be a reason of insulin resistance and also obesity.
How it might help
These findings could indicate that a high-fat diet triggers inflammation, affecting the body's ability to recognize fullness and regulate blood sugar, potentially contributing to weight gain.
The study highlights the need for further research to comprehensively understand the complex relationship between hypothalamus volume, weight, and appetite regulation.
