Hunger is a complicated motivation; people don’t eat only because they need food. Many factors, both biological and environmental, influence hunger. These factors interact with one another in many ways.

Biological Factors

Researchers believe certain genetic differences among individuals play a role in hunger. The brain, the digestive system, and hormones are all involved in influencing hunger at the biological level.

Genetic Differences Among Individuals

Researchers theorize that people have a genetically influenced set point for body weight. If a person’s weight rises too far above his set point, his appetite decreases, or he uses up more energy. His weight then returns to its set point. If, on the other hand, his weight falls too far below his set point, his appetite increases, or he uses less energy. Once again, he returns to his set point.

The set point is maintained not only by food intake and energy expenditure but also by the body’s basal metabolic rate, another genetically influenced variable. Basal metabolic rate is the rate at which a person at complete rest uses energy.

Some researchers disagree about set points and believe that people can reset their normal weight if they add or lose pounds slowly. They also point out that people usually gain weight when they have easy access to rich foods.

The Brain

Researchers believe three areas in the hypothalamus play a key role in regulating hunger:

Popular pages: Motivation