With a rising epidemic of obesity, researchers are looking for answers to help better provide information on an individual's ability or inability to maintain a specific weight. It is important to understand the body's use of energy and food intake and how it relates to regulation of body weight. The hypothalamus plays a key role in the control of appetite and the coordination of the body's metabolism.
The Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus is a small area of the brain that helps to control hormone regulation. It includes several groups of nuclei that regulate and coordinate the body's basic life functions, including the maintenance of body weight. One specific nucleus called the arcuate nucleus includes the appetite center where sugar, fat levels and appetite are monitored.
Energy Input and Output
For most people, regulating energy use and intake is the easiest way to monitor weight loss. You can not intake more energy then what your body needs to function and what you are willing to burn with exercise. If you need a daily caloric intake of 2,000 calories and you ingest 2,500 calories worth of energy without exercising and burning the excess calories, you will gain weight. Likewise, if you ingest 2,000 calories and burn 500 calories then you have a net worth of 1,500 calories, which means you will lose weight. The majority of individuals who understand this concept will be able to manage weight. Unfortunately, there are other key players, such as hormone regulation, stress and sleep, that also play a role in the ability to lose or manage weight.
Hormones
The hypothalamus helps to regulate hormones and communicates with the pituitary gland when to release hormones. There are several hormones that help control appetite and hunger. Some increase the need to eat where others reduce the urge to eat or regulate insulin levels but all are important when controlling weight. Other areas of the hypothalamus control stress responses and sleep cycles. Studies show that both are important pieces of appetite regulation and interact with hormones used in those processes.
Role of Hypothalamus in Weight Regulation
The University of California has completed specific studies concerning the hypothalamus and weight regulation. They show that individuals who experiences trauma or damage to the hypothalamus can have symptoms of excessive eating and weight gain, also known as hypothalamic obesity. The University of California has found specific therapy treatments that can help to reverse some of the damages done to the hypothalamus.
Considerations
There are specific correlations between the hypothalamus and weight regulation, but for the majority of individuals, monitoring and regulating food and exercise is considered the best way to lose weight. A minority of individuals may suffer from hypothalamic damage and may have specific issues as they apply to appetite and hormone regulation. Experts believe that a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits are still the main cause for poor weight management.
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