Hormonal
Obesity is associated with a shift in the hedonic set point where metabolic satiety signals (leptin, insulin) fail to suppress the brain's reward circuits, leading to increased incentive motivation ('wanting') for food.
In obesity, the brain's reward system becomes less responsive to 'stop' signals from hormones like leptin and insulin. This means food cues trigger a strong drive to eat ('wanting') even when you are full. Understanding this biological shift can help reduce self-blame and focus on strategies that manage environmental food cues.
Certainly, for obesity to prevail, metabolic satiety signals such as leptin and insulin fail to regain control of appetitive brain networks, including those involved in food reward.
Why this rating
Supported by multiple references to human fMRI studies and rodent models showing leptin/insulin resistance in reward circuits.
Source
Hedonic and incentive signals for body weight control
Emil Egecioglu et al. · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · 2011
DOI 10.1007/s11154-011-9166-4
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