Factors influencing body weight
The hormones leptin, insulin, growth hormone, and sex hormones are some of the hormones that control appetite. The message sends to the brain through signaling either makes us feel hungry or feel satisfied. This means that energy homeostasis is mainly controlled by neural circuits in the brain stream and, in particular, the hypothalamus. For us to survive, we must store excess food when we eat to sustain us when we are fasting. However, there is a point where the excess accumulation of energy in the form of fats exposes as to harmful diseases. Swaab, D. F. (2008). Obesity occurs as a result of too much accumulation of energy in the form of body fats, which leads to abnormal bodyweight. Reduction of caloric intake can play a significant role in loose bodyweight. This is because there will be no excess fuel to be stored in the form of fats. Also, the excess fats stored will be oxidized to produce energy. However, sometimes body weight is influenced by genetic factors, and therefore reduction of fuel may not be significant to weight.
Excess storage of this adipose tissue results in an eating disorder known as obesity. As stated before, the body has a mechanism of regulating the intake of nutrients, storage, and expenditure. However, sometimes the body fails to perform these functions properly, and this results in eating disorders and diseases. Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2017). This is usually due to various factors, such as overwhelming the body with food. For example, when we continuously feed our institution in excess, some of the extra food will be stored; continuous storage will lead to body weight and eventually lead to obesity.
Fuel metabolism is profoundly affected by hormonal regulations; hormones regulate appetite, influence absorption, transport, and foodstuff oxidation. To understand obesity, it is essential to understand the lipostat theory, which predicts the feedback and regulation of adipose tissue. This theory postulates a mechanism by which eating behavior is either inhibited or enhanced depending on the needs of the body. The feedback signal originates from the adipose tissue and it influences the brain centers, which control eating behavior that is the hypothalamus.
Leptin is a hormone produced in the adipocytes and moves via the blood to the brain. It acts on receptors in the hypothalamus to curtail appetite. It results in a reduction of fuel intake and promotes energy expenditure to produce heat. It does this by controlling appetite. Low levels of leptin in the blood result in the excess consumption of food, which can result in increased body weight, which can result in obesity. In the arcuate nucleus, two neurons control fuel intake and metabolism. Swaab, D. F. (2008).
Orexigenic stimulate appetite hence stimulate eating by releasing the neuropeptide Y (NPY), which causes the next neuron to send the message to the brain “eat” the high concentration of the NPY explains obesity because it increases the eating habit of an individual. Family and friends can also influence the eating behavior of an individual either by commending positively about their eating habits; this can also influence body weight and can determine if one can develop into an obese individual. Parents can also overfeed their children out of love, which can predispose them to obesity. Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2017). Treatment options for obesity can be an injection of leptin hormone, but this does not work for all obese people. Obesity can also be managed by reduced calorie intake and doing a lot of exercises.