Regulation of Food Intake : A Complex Process

Swati Jain; Som Nath Singh

doi:10.14429/dlsj.3.12401

Swati Jain Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, Sikandra Road, Delhi, India
Som Nath Singh DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.3.12401

Keywords: eating behavior, hormones, endocrine markers, appetite regulation, satiation

Abstract

Researchers have created a wealth of knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate food intake, appetite and therefore weight control. The control of appetite is a complex mechanism and involves the coordination of inputs from both physiological and environmental sources. Early theoretical approaches were based on the idea that the control mechanism was dedicated exclusively to signals from glucose metabolism, amino acids or proteins, or adipose tissue. However, a complex system of biologic and environmental factors regulates our appetite. The brain integrates chemical and nervous signals to control hunger and satiety. These controls include sensory and gastrointestinal signals, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. This review paper summarizes the existing plethora of the highly convoluted process of appetite regulation and food intake.

Author Biographies

Swati Jain, Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, Sikandra Road, Delhi, India

Swati Jain, MSc., Ph.D, is a qualified nutritionist, presently working as an Asst. Prof in Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi. Recently, she has been working on childhood hypertension, dietary diversification and clinical intervention trials on childhood obesity and Vitamin D supplementation.She received her Ph.D in Life Sciences in 2014 from the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India. During this tenure she was awarded DRDO Fellowship for her research and International Travel Grant Awards from Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Biotechnology, India. Her Ph.D Thesis and research work has been focused on Appetite Regulation, specifically on a nutritional approach for sustenance during conditions of food shortage. During that time she has published 6 research papers in international science Journals. She has also written for health magazines like “Complete Wellbeing”, as a nutrition expert and has travelled internationally for conferences. Before, she had studied at University of Delhi for her Masters and Bachelors in Food and Nutrition. Her main research interest areas have centred on mechanism based nutrition studies, intervention research focused on nutrition issues related to chronic disease risk reduction and self-management; infant and young child feeding, child growth and malnutrition.

Som Nath Singh, DRDO-Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences

Dr Som Nath Singh Joined DRDO in 1996 and is head of Nutrition & Biochemistry Department, Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Delhi. He did his M Sc in Zoology fromLuchnowUniversityand Ph D from Central Drug Research Institute Lucknow. Presently he is working on Nutritional requirements of Armed Forces with reference to different environments and physical training. His basic work is on appetite regulation, communicable diseases and metabolism. He has successfully completed different studies related to review of ration scales and determining energy and nutrient requirements of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel. He has published 78 research papers in Indian and International Journals, 13 book chapters and 11 technical reports. He is life member of 8 National Societies and was elected member of Sectional committee -Medical Sciences (inc Physiology) of ISCA in 1999 & 2006.

He is recipient of KN Bhal Gold Medal of Zoological Society of India in1987,LucknowUniversity; DRDO Laboratory Scientist of the year Award 2004 , Surg Rear Admiral MS Malhotra Prize for year 2001 & 2005, National Science Day oration 2008 and Shakuntla Dasgupta memorial oration award of Physilogical Scoeity of India in 2014.