New Study Suggests Why Obese People Overeat
A new study published in the journal Obesity Surgery, suggests that very obese individuals have a different physical repsonse to food than that of normal weight individuals.
Most of us are completely baffled as to the reasons for overeating, and so this study proves an interesting read.
The study involved placing water then lemon juice on participant's tongues, and measuring (using cotton swabs) the amount of saliva produced over time. The researchers found that very obese people (all candidates for bariatric surgery) salivated for longer in response to a new taste, in comparison to those of a normal weight.
While this may not seem very significant, Dr Bond lead author of the study, explains:
Saliva production tends to decline in most people once they've gotten used to the taste of a certain food and had enough of it. The process, called habituation, is associated with a feeling of fullness.
As a result, the obese individuals in the study were not likely to feel full as quickly. As Dr Bond goes on to say:
They're not as sensitive to those feelings of fullness, and as a result, they continue to eat longer.
This is interesting research, and could pave the way for further studies into physical reasons for a propensity to overeat. However, the study was small (34 obese people, 18 of normal weight), and as Dr Bond points out, the results don't necessarily suggest that the saliva response is the cause of overeating:
What we don't know is whether obese people show this different level of responding before they become obese, or if it is something that happens as you gain weight, and whether it changes with weight loss.
Study details: Differences in Salivary Habituation to a Taste Stimulus in Bariatric Surgery Candidates and Normal-Weight Controls.
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Very interesting indeed. I hope these doctors and researchers get appropriate research grants. I imagine there is a tonne of politics involved but maybe some of the fat lobby groups could work on it and move from being reactive to proactive.
sincerely,
ReplyBMI wise, still an obese man.
But even the term "habituation," even though it's being used in a physiological sense here, would seem to indicate that the body can be taught to expect and accept far less food and then salivate appropriately. Kind of like when you start to eat smaller portions, you're hungry for a bit, but then you start to be full from what you're currently eating. So if, as an obese person, you are eating quite a bit, your saliva would probably be increased simply to aid digestion. If your body and brain both learn that you need less, it should decrease.
ReplyMaybe it is not related but I have noticed something interesting in my diet. I try to maintain 1500 calories a day average. The days I eat 2000 I have more cravings to cheat. The days I eat around 1000 calories, I have less cravings to cheat. This has been evoloving. It was not always like this. I can see (feel) how people get lulled into low calorie diets.
Reply"would seem to indicate that the body can be taught to expect and accept far less food..."
Yes, your body CAN be taught to accept far less food than you're used to. Eating frequently but tiny meals for over a period of time again... just forms a habit.
The important thing is the total calories consumed at the end of the day, and you CAN get used to a lower calorie lifestyle.
Not sure if they've done studies on this... and frankly I could care less since I've worked with enough people to know its downright true.
ReplyOh, I'm completely familiar with the idea of teaching your stomach to accept less food with a similar amount of satisfaction, I've done that before. I still wonder if in spite of the comment, that it is not known whether the saliva is a cause or result, there will be a medical/medicinal rather than intervention approach.
ReplyI've never seen someone overeat when carbs were isolated out of the diet. If they overeat at one meal, their body will tell them not to do it next time around.
ReplyGood point about 'their body will tell them not to'. If you really listen to your body and tummy it will tell you when you've had enough to eat and to stop eating. Those that regularly overeat are perhaps not listening to or in tune with their tummy's.
ReplyI've seen friends on "Atkins" overeat plenty, on fatty meat. It's easier to do with highly processed carbs, but where there's a will, there's a way.
ReplyI think with less stress in society and less chemicals in the food the weight problem would get under control quick.
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