Appetite is the desire to eat food, which is different from hunger.
Hunger
refers to feelings of discomfort when you do not eat. Your mood, physical
health, mental health, and environment can increase your appetite or cause a
loss of appetite. Certain medications can also act as appetite stimulants or
suppressants.1
Changes in appetite may lead to weight gain or weight loss. Talk to a
healthcare provider if appetite changes affect your weight or if they could be
related to a health condition.
What Is Appetite?
Appetite is the desire to eat food. The regulation of appetite involves the
digestive, endocrine (which release hormones), and nervous systems. Sensory
nerves, which carry signals to your brain to aid in taste, touch, smell, and
sight, also affect your appetite.1
Appetite influences how much food you eat, but it differs from hunger. Hunger
is a sensation in your body caused by a need for food. Signals from two
hormones called ghrelin and leptin regulate both appetite and hunger.2
Ghrelin, known as "the hunger hormone", travels through the bloodstream to
your brain to stimulate appetite. Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate body
weight. It lets the brain know when you are "full" or satiated. Both send
signals to your brain that affect appetite and your level of satiety.2
Factors That Affect It
You may experience an increased appetite (an excess desire for food) or a
decreased appetite (a reduced desire to eat). Appetite changes can occur
intermittently or last for long periods.34
Factors that affect appetite include:1
Environment
Lifestyle
Mental health
Physical health
Senses (such as smell and taste)
The hypothalamus is the "control center" of your brain. It's where ghrelin and
leptin interact to regulate sensations of hunger and satiety and control your
appetite and food intake. Any changes to the balance of ghrelin and leptin can
affect your body's ability to regulate energy and appetite.2
Decreased
Conditions that can cause or lead to a loss of appetite include:4
Anorexia nervosa
Cancer
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Dementia
Hepatitis
HIV/AIDS
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland
Mental health conditions, such as depression
Pregnancy (first trimester)
Some medications may also cause a loss of appetite. Examples include
antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and morphine.4
Increased
Increased appetite may signal a problem with your endocrine system. Some
conditions and medications increase your appetite, such as:3
Anxiety
Bulimia
Certain drugs, including corticosteroids and tricyclic antidepressants
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
