Homeostatic and Circadian Control of Food Intake: Clinical Strategies to Prevent Overconsumption

Abstract

The current environment has a strong impact on the rise in population body weight as it provides ample opportunity to consume food, often beyond one's metabolic requirement. The homeostatic processes that regulate food intake are often overlooked or weakened in such an environment, particularly among susceptible individuals. Moreover, there is strong circadian control over food intake and the circadian system is tightly entwined in body weight regulation. Clinical nutritional and behavioral strategies can strengthen homeostatic signals of satiation and satiety and improve appetite control. Synchronizing the circadian system through exercise and regular sleeping and meal patterns may also enhance these signals. Together, these strategies can help reduce overeating episodes, particularly among susceptible individuals, and may play a role in better long-term body weight regulation. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media New York.