Overeaters' Brains

Why do some people overeat even when they're full?

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• overeating
• brain
• MRI
• amygdala
• overweight
• obesity
• diet

[KonnichiwaX]

How can you say this? even though it was kind of logical that some people that overeat dosn't recieve fullness signals, it's amazing they can prove it. You might not think so, but this may be evolution in finding new ways to make people NOT overeat

[cherylab30]

This is a smaller part of a larger issue. Most overweight people that I know - including myself - have gained most of their weight from eating when they are NOT hungry. Were I a scientist, I would attempt to figure out why some people are SATISFIED, not necessary FULL with a standared portion. You don't eat a whole gallon of ice cream because you're hungry.

[fuunguus]

Are you people really hungry all the time? If I eat too much I feel like puking and can't possibly eat more, my body prohibits it. Also if I'm hungry I don't really have to eat, the worst hunger goes away after a little while.

[Peikko]

@cherylab30 Go see a shrink? I'd think it's technically the same as other unhealthy behavior (binge drinking, drugs, sex), so not really related to the food but a mental thing.

[sabeaniebaby]

I am a compulsive overeater and a FOOD ADDICT. If I eat a little, I want more...and then more...and then more. If I am so full that I can no longer breathe I continue to want to eat, but am forced to stop. Once able to, I will start eating again. That is the addiction portion of my weight problem.

I have started working a 12 Step program and, although I am struggling with it, when I focus on the steps I am able to feel more calm and have fewer urges to start eating compulsively.

[graphattic]

Come on scientists, you have the answer for this years ago. The Sex-joy and food-joy centers of the brain, are the same area. Food and Sex are appreciated by the same spot in the brain. People who eat when not hungry need sex, love and cuddles. Although I am not overweight I do know of this out of personal experience. Food can work as a drug.

[TheGoalSetter]

This is not the major reason why people get obese.

The major reason is that they use food to cope with life (medicate). Thus, they become food addicts...which makes overeating a higher priority than health, relationships, everything.

Until they learn to *cope with life* differently and better, they will never break their addiction. The same goes for smokers, drinkers, sex addicts, etc.

[sallyjeffries]

@cherylab30

an overeater myself, i agree. i also know this: we can't scientifically prove that we attempt to fill our emptiness of (soul) by trying to fill our stomach.

[rainbowspite222]

I think insulin resistance has ALOT to do with it, I think psychology has answers too. If someone is spiritually and emotionally empty they will try to fill the void and food is one way. The body will reach for the simplest answers among complicated emotionally issues.

[FortuneFantastica]

cherylab made a good point. Why do some of us eat when we're not hungry, and why does it take more to satisfy us? The larger issue, in my experience with Binge Eating Disorder, is emotional eating - a way to cope with emotional stress. If we pay attention to our body's signals, we really do know when we feel full, or I should say satisfied. But we keep eating because something else needs to be satisfied, not our stomachs.

[lostinmaya]

I think overeating is also a result of - lack of nutrients in the foods - additives that stimulate a person to eat - veg oils that cause insulin resistance

People are eating a lot but that doesn't mean they are absorbing the nutrients.

"junk foods" make it possible for people to starve with a full stomach.

Its bizarre.