Introduction to Hunger and Eating

What you’ll learn to do: describe hunger and eating in relation to motivation, obesity, anorexia, and bulimia

Apple in the mirror. The apple is whole but the reflection is eaten.

Eating is essential for survival, and it is no surprise that a drive like hunger exists to ensure that we seek out sustenance. While this module will focus primarily on the physiological mechanisms that regulate hunger and eating, powerful social, cultural, and economic influences also play important roles. This section will explain the regulation of hunger, eating, and body weight, and we will discuss the adverse consequences of disordered eating.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how hunger and eating are regulated
  • Examine the relationship between metabolism, obesity, and health
  • Explain the health consequences resulting from anorexia and bulimia nervosa