The Anatomy of Appetite
There are numerous factors involved in determining a person's appetite and each one is marked on this diagram of the body. Roll over a hotspot on the body to find out more about its role.
Go back to the feature on appetite or watch the related video.
Parts of the brain responsible for memory and emotions. Processes information about previous experiences with food and reward. Could encourage someone to eat more or less.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Processes signals from gut hormones and fat, and sends its own signals. These hormones include agouti-related protein, MCH and NPY, which block pain signals, give a calming effect and stimulate feeding. There are also other signals such as MSH, which suppress appetite. The balance of all of these will determine a person's appetite.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Sends messages from the gut to the brain stem.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Can affect how any of these hormones work - a variation could alter a person's appetite to eat more or less.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Secretes hormones like ghrelin, which tells you that you are hungry.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Secretes several hormones, including insulin, incretins and amylin, which tell you to eat less.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Part of the intestine that produces GLP1 and CCK, which send signals telling you to eat less.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Secrete a hormone called PYY 3-36, which tells the hypothalamus to suppress appetite.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Secretes leptin, a powerful hormone that acts on the hypothalamus and is responsible for long-term control of consumption.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
Increased marketing and availability of food, particularly high-calorie, processed foods.
Key
Text highlighted in red identifies an appetite suppressant, while text highlighted in blue identifies an appetite inducer.
