Introduction

The essay will capture the role of the brain in overeating, the main reason why some of us overeat while others do not overeat. Finally, the paper will capture how advertisers capitalize on the brain's reaction to food

What is the brain's role in overeating?

Understanding the role of the brain in overeating necessitates an understanding of how the brain's function regulates food consumption. When the brain receives hormonal signals from the body that there is a coming hunger, it begins to assess environmental elements, according to researchers examining the brain's influence on food consumption (Vaziri and Dus, 2021).

Using at least two of the listed readings in the module from this week, describe what happens in our brains to cause us to overeat, especially food high in fat and sugar.

Some of the ecological issues to be considered revolve around how the brain interprets how much energy is required by a person's body and the social environment. This is how the brain begins to impact a person's eating decisions after considering the two aspects. These factors are based on the food's nutritional worth, the pleasure one experiences from eating it, and the individual's previous experience with that particular food item. It is difficult to convince a person to slow down on eating once the brain has sent the message to the body to start eating.  This is one of the main reasons obesity occurs since the brain cannot stop eating. The two hormones that are responsible for obesity are insulin and leptin. Notably, these two hormones are responsible for food intake in people who eat less. As a result of the high level, the brain is influenced to ignore hormone cues, resulting in the individual eating. This is what leads to obesity.  The main reason for this is that the brain interprets that eating is enjoyable. The other issue is that the brain cannot minimize food intake when consuming high-sugar, high-fat foods (Wenk, 2019).

The brain's chemistry is affected by certain foods, and the brain's ability to prevent overconsumption is lost. Surgery has been established in modern medicine to aid in the fight against overeating.  The primary intervention is bariatric surgery, which refers to the procedure that occurs by a bypass done through a person's stomach. This procedure influences the brain by reducing the appetite and the addiction to high sugary foods.  New research reveals that when the stomach is much smaller, the two hormones are boosted, and as a result, the cravings are minimized. In addition, the pleasure derived from people eating is significantly minimized. After dopamine is released, the positive relationship with food consumption (Jabr, 2016).

Why are some of us more likely to overeat than others?

It's crucial to consider heredity when determining why some people are more prone to overeating than others. Obese children are more likely to be obese, according to numerous research. According to the study, one of the explanations for this is that an individual's parent's faulty dopamine system can be passed on to them. This research also discovered whether or not someone is obese. This would necessitate slim parents with a BMI under 25 (Spencer et al., 2017).

How do food advertisers capitalize on our brains' responses to food?

Through the use of images, food marketers make use of the brain's responses to food. The visual is intended to persuade someone that we require a specific dish and consume it. Fast food's appeal has risen as a result of this. Fast food imagery conjures up a lovely meal that contains high cholesterol. The prominence of fast food outlets being a convenient place to get food has contributed to people finding it hard to cook healthier meals at home.  

Outline

What is the brain’s role in overeating?

Using at least two of the listed readings in the module from this week, describe what happens in our brains to cause us to overeat, especially food high in fat and sugar.

Why are some of us more likely to overeat than others?

How do food advertisers capitalize on our brains’ responses to food?