Running head: TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT 1

To Eat or Not to Eat

Tiffany Nicole Cooper

University of Phoenix

Jwaundace Belcher

January 21, 2011

PSY/240
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To Eat or Not to Eat

Hello class. My name is Nicole Cooper, and today we are going to be discussing some of

the physiological factors that cause hunger and satiety, and we will also be taking a look at some

of the misconceptions regarding these issues. There will be plenty of time at the end of our

session today for questions so as I talk about these issues; please, be thinking about some

questions that you may want to ask about this subject.

Fact and Myth:

I believe that it is very important for everyone to understand the physiological factors,

and how the research is opening doorways for the scientific community. First, I want to start by

talking about some common misconceptions regarding hunger and satiety. The most common

belief is that hunger is caused by an empty stomach and that satiety is caused by feeling full. “A

study showed that even people who have had their stomachs removed still experience these

feelings (Pinel, 2007).” The most logical explanation for this would be that the gastrointestinal

tract is the source of these feelings of satiety. A fact that I find most interesting is that “the

gastrointestinal tract and the stomach release chemicals called peptides, which can interact with

the hormones and neurons in the brain. There is a well-known peptide that is solely responsible

for increasing appetites in the hypothalamus” (Pinel, 2007). This recent discovery has established

an interest in the “hypothalamus’s” role in hunger and satiety. An important notion to keep in

mind regarding this issue is that the hypothalamus is what controls the energy metabolism and

not your actual eating.

A second misconception is the set-point assumption. This is when people think that

hunger (or the motivation to eat) is caused by the presence of an energy deficit, and they “view

eating as the means to which the energy resources of the body are returned to their optimal level
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(also known as their energy set-point.)” (Pinel, 2007) There are either set-points or settling points

and to understand those, may help with understanding weight. Everyone has a set point and just

like you do not have any control over what color your eyes or hair will be, or how tall you will

be. You also have no control over what your set point will be. Your body is genetically and

biologically determined to weigh within a certain weight range. Set points vary for each

individual person. That is why it is not a good idea for people to go by the weight charts that one

may see in medical books or hanging in your doctor's office. It is more of a discussion you and

your doctor need to have. Just as your metabolism will slow down when you go under your

body's set point, it will also increase if you go above it. The body will try to fight against the

weight gain by increasing the metabolism and raising the body's temperature to try and burn off

the unwanted calories. The settling point theory refers to the idea that weight tends to drift

around the level at which the constellation of factors that determine food consumption and

energy expenditure achieve an equilibrium.

The third misconception that we are going to talk about is how hunger and satiety is that

our blood glucose levels affect our hunger and satiety. “Research tells us that this is very much

untrue. Glucose levels remain fairly stable and do not fluctuate very often” (Pinel, 2007). This

theory is referred to as the “glucostatic theory”. The lipostatic theory is another set-point theory

that says “every person has a set point for body fat, and deviations from this set point produce

compensatory adjustments in the level of eating that return the levels of body fat to their set

points.” (Pinel, 2007).

Patient Question and Answer:

Now, we are going to open the floor for discussion.

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1. Lindsey asked: “My parents were both obese, is that why I am?”

Although a genetic link to obesity is strongly accepted, only about 40% of the obesity

factors do not guarantee that a child will be obese. Obesity is more common in certain families;

but how much of it could be considered from their lifestyles? Families tend to have similar

activity levels in which may account for their similarities in body weight, and they also have

common eating habits. It does seem likely that there are cases of obesity caused by genetics. To

further support the idea that genes play a role, researchers recently identified a chromosomal

abnormality that greatly increases a person's risk of becoming overweight or obese.

2. Robert asked: “My girlfriend and I eat together all of the time, so we eat the same

food and amounts of food, but she never gains weight like I do. Why is that?”

Well Robert, while you and your girlfriend eat the same foods, and the same amounts,

you both still have very different metabolisms. You both have different genetic factors and most

likely, you both have different exercise levels. So you cannot really base your idea on the fact

that you both eat the same things, and the same amount. You have many more things that need to

be factored in.

3. Nancy asked: “My mom says that I became anorexic because I’ve been reading too

many Cosmo magazines and want to look like those girls. Maybe I did, but I
really

just don’t crave food. What do you think it is?”

Well, Nancy, the effects of serotonin in our bodies can prevent us from eating if they are

too low. There is also another hormone known as norepinephrine; and this too, can reduce your

desire for food, even if your body is in need. This hormone is not only a hormone, but it is a

neurotransmitter as well. As a hormone, it is secreted by the adrenal gland and it works with
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epinephrine and adrenaline to give the body sudden energy in times of stress. This is known as
the “flight or fight” response.

4. Tyra asked: “I don’t eat because every time I do, I just feel sick! Do you know why

this is?”

I’m glad you asked this question. I have problems with feeling sick when I am trying to

eat. My brain knows that I need to eat, and I know I have to, but when I do, it just makes me

sick. I found out that there are many reasons for this type of reaction to eating. You could have a

type of gastro intestinal disorder. I recommend that you should go and see a Gastroenterologist,

and they would be able to find out more for you. If this is the case, your disease may be

completely manageable through medication and a special diet. But if the Gastroenterologist does

a complete medical check and finds nothing medically wrong with you, it may be more of a

psychological problem. At that time I would recommend that you see a counselor or professional

on the subject. It may be something more like anorexia, and in which case, medicine does not

help. The only thing that will help in that case, is talking to a professional that knows what they

are talking about.

Conclusion:

Well, now that I have talked to you all about the different physiological factors, and

common misconceptions about physiological myths about hunger and satiety and those

physiological factors that do contribute to hunger and satiety, let me leave you with a few things

to consider. You have all come here today making the first step to recovery by coming here.

There are things in our lives that we can control, and things that we cannot control. If you ever

need help, it is always there, and there is always someone for you to talk to. I only hope that I

provided some basic knowledge to help you on your journey to recovery and contentment.
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Reference Page:

Pinel, J. P. J. (2009). Biopsychology. Boston, MA: Pearson.

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