February 27, 2014

Lateral Hypothalamus:

• when stimulated it makes you hungry. ( when destroyed you'll never be hungry) 

Ventromedial Hypothalamus: 

• when stimulated you feel full (when destroyed never feel full again)    

How hypothalamus work- Two theories: 

Leptin

• leptin is protein produced by bloated fat cells 
• senses rises in leptin and will curb eating and increase activity 

Set Point

• Hypothalamus acts like thermostat 
• meant to be in a certain height range
• when we fall below weight, our body will increase hunger and decrease energy expenditure (basic metabolic rate)

Body Chemistry: 

• glucose, the hormone insulin converts glucose to fat, when glucose levels drop-hunger increases

Psychology of Hunger:

• Externals- people who is eating is triggered more by the presence of food than internal factors 

Eating Disorders:

• Bulimia Nervosa: characterized by bingeing and purging 
• Anorexia Nervosa: starve themselves to below 85% of their normal body weight they see themselves as fat, vast majority of women