How Hormonal Balances Contribute to Obesity
February 15, 2023When thinking about Obesity, one of the main thoughts people may have is “do I have a hormonal problem causing weight gain.” This is a serious and legitimate question with an answer that is very complex. The goal of this article is to take some of the complexity out of this question and to educate you about how hormonal balances contribute to obesity and the different systems involved in weight related diseases.
Let’s start off by looking at the different systems that are in play in regards to the hormones. The three main components are homeostatic, hedonistic, and cognitive. Each of these components has its own unique set of hormones involved in controlling your weight and interaction with food. Please keep in mind that your weight involves a very large number of hormones and proteins which interact in a complex way. We shall try to break down the three main systems involved, hopefully giving you useful information. Anybody interested in learning more information is invited to utilize any of the major search engines to further expand your knowledge on this subject.
Before we embark on this journey, let’s get some misconceptions about hormonal balances out of the way. Most people believe that a slow thyroid, called hypothyroidism, causes significant weight gain. In fact, a slow thyroid leads to 5 to 10 pounds weight gain. While a 10-pound weight gain can feel problematic, it doesn’t explain the significant weight gain that most overweight individuals’ experience. This website from the American Thyroid Association provides further information: https://www.thyroid.org/thyroid-and-weight/. Hormones such as cortisol can play a greater role in weight gain. People suffering from reduced cortisol levels, usually known as Cushing’s syndrome, can usually gain a significant amount of weight. Keep in mind that this disease is found in 2 to 3 people per ONE MILLION, so this is indeed a rare situation.
Getting back to the three systems that interact to cause obesity, let’s break down the systems and how they work.
The Homeostatic System
The homeostatic system is the stabilizing system that plays a crucial role in hunger and feeling full, known as satiety. Like many of the body’s complex systems, there is always a push and pull dynamic. When a person has not eaten in a long time or went on a diet, the system sends hormones and proteins directly to the brain that “STARVATION” is occurring, and the body needs to immediately increase caloric intake and absorb as many calories as possible. As a result, there is a buildup of fat stores as soon as possible.
On the other hand, when a patient is gaining weight and there is too much fat, important hormones interact with the hypothalamus. This portion of the brain plays a crucial role in sending out signals to the body and the rest of the brain that the person must gain weight and increase fat storage via increased hunger or that the person must lose weight and decrease fat storage via less hunger. The intestinal hormones coming from the small intestine, colon, pancreas and liver play a significant role in interacting with the brain to signal that the person is full or hungry.
The Hedonistic System
The hedonistic system is involved in doing satisfying activities. When you think of a great dinner you had on a recent vacation, this causes the dopamine to be activated in the brain, bringing you great satisfaction. The combination of memory and emotion contributes to actions taken to obtain these satisfying activities. Interestingly, when scientists looked at images of the brain in people being presented with images of delicious food, the portion of the brain that became active is the same one that becomes active in people suffering with drug addiction. This simply means that there are biological events going on in the brain contributing to a person’s feeling that they have very strong cravings for sweet or salty food. Some may believe that a person can easily control these cravings but go tell a smoker or drug addicted person to simply stop the activity, this simply doesn’t work.
The Cognitive System
The last system involved is the cognitive system. This refers to the prefrontal cortex of the brain which is involved in self-control. This portion of the brain allows you to think about your activities and decide whether to follow through or to restrain yourself to conform with societal norms. For example, you don’t just get in your car and drive recklessly because your cognitive system understands that there are very significant consequences to such dangerous behavior. Ideally, the cognitive system would remind you that the second or third serving of the great tasting food would cause you to gain weight and you should stop. Unfortunately, most people don’t listen to that quiet voice that reminds you not to overdo it. Working with a good dietician and a psychologist may help you achieve the behavior modification required so that you have a greater level of control over your choices.
How Hormonal Balances Contribute To Obesity Summary
In conclusion, there is a complex interaction that takes place in the body and the brain to control the hunger and satiety that every human being experiences daily. Please use this information to remind yourself that being overweight and obese are not fully up to you and that there is a complex system in play involving hormonal balances. The good news is that with today’s advanced armamentarium of tools, any individual can gain greater control of the situation and proceed on the journey of getting healthier and losing the dangerous excess weight. Good luck to you on your getting healthy journey.
Dr. Leon Katz MD, FACS, FASMBS currently practices at New York Bariatric Group.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Leon Katz MD, FACS, FASMBS brings his knowledge and passion for helping patients who struggle with obesity. Dr. Katz is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, fellow of theAmerican Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and certified by the American Board of Surgery. He currently practices at New York Bariatric Group. |
