Our feelings of hunger are controlled by a part of the brain called the 'hypothalamus'. This takes its cue from a number of different chemical messengers, or hormones, circulating in our blood.
New drugs
Current weight-loss drugs are mainly amphetamine based. They increase the amount of noradrenaline and dopamine hormones in the blood, lowering hunger levels. However, they are not suitable for long-term use and side effects can include high blood pressure, anxiety and restlessness.
New drugs are being developed that may give greater weight loss with fewer side effects. Recently, scientists have focused their attention on the interaction between fat and hunger. Fat produces a hormone called 'leptin', which turns off the feeling of hunger in the brain.
So if we have high fat levels inside us, our appetite is suppressed. But when they drop we become hungry. Although the link between leptin levels and hunger is not simple, scientists may be able to develop drugs that interfere with this cycle.
One research project involves genetically engineered mice with a faster metabolic rate. So however much they eat they still stay lean, burning up the energy as heat rather than laying it down as excess fat. This research could help make new drugs for humans.
Lifestyle changes
New drugs may help people to lose weight, but the problem is keeping it off. Most people who lose weight on a calorie controlled diet put it on again. Only 5% of obese people manage to keep their weight down.
What is required is a complete change in lifestyle. More exercise, a healthier balanced diet and realistic expectations can help make the change permanent. To become more healthy doesn't require huge weight loss.
For more information about diet and exercise visit BBC Health.
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