When discussing obesity, it’s impossible to overlook the appeal of “hyper-palatable” foods, such as ice creams and cookie doughs. These products are meticulously crafted by the food industry to deliver intense pleasure to the palate, stimulating the brain’s reward centres. This excessive activation of the reward system leads to a sensation of enjoyment that can foster compulsive eating behaviours.

The effects of these foods on the body mirror those experienced by individuals with substance dependencies; just as a drug addict needs to increase the dose of their drug to achieve the same level of pleasure, so too do individuals struggling with obesity require more hyper-palatable foods to attain the same level of satisfaction. As they consume greater quantities of these appealing foods, the brain becomes accustomed to their effects, necessitating ever-larger portions and thus perpetuating a cycle of dependency that exacerbates obesity.

What Characteristics Define Palatable Foods?

1. High in Sugar, Fat, and Salt: This combination elicits intense responses in the brain.
2. Intense and Pleasurable Flavours: These foods disproportionately activate the brain’s reward system.
3. High Caloric Density: Often lacking in nutrients, these foods are calorie-rich, promoting overconsumption.
4. Appealing Textures and Colours: The food industry is acutely aware of how colours—some of which can be harmful, like tartrazine—impact consumer behaviour, and they intentionally incorporate these features.

Examples Include: Ice Cream 🍨, Crisps 🍟, Biscuits 🍪, and Pizza 🍕

Why Merely Saying “Eat Less” Is Insufficient?

It isn’t merely a matter of willpower! Suggesting that someone with obesity “just eat less” fails to account for their body’s already deregulated state. It’s akin to telling a person with a fever to lower their temperature through sheer force of will. The issue is physiological rather than solely a byproduct of poor habits.

What Happens to the Brain and Body with These Foods?

1. Brain Reward System (Dopaminergic System): Consuming ice cream, for example, releases substantial amounts of dopamine, a chemical closely linked to pleasure. Over time, the brain requires an increasing quantity of these hyper-palatable foods to achieve the same dopamine release, similar to a drug addict needing more of their substance to feel the same effects. The outcome is a food dependency.
2. Neuroinflammation: Prolonged consumption of these foods triggers inflammation in the brain, particularly in the hypothalamus, which governs appetite. This inflammation disrupts the body’s hunger regulation, propelling a cycle of overeating.
3. Autonomic Nervous System (Limbic System): The brain’s ability to distinguish between hunger and satiety diminishes. The autonomic system, which typically manages automatic functions like hunger, becomes unregulated, causing individuals with obesity to feel hungry even after adequate consumption.
4. Digestive System and Microbiome:

• Dysbiosis: Processed foods negatively impact gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria while increasing pathogenic ones, thereby instigating both gut and systemic inflammation.
• Intestinal Permeability: Excessive intake of sugar and fat compromises the intestinal barrier, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream and aggravate neuroinflammation.
• Digestive and Metabolic Disruptions: High levels of fat and sugar can overwhelm the digestive system, reducing nutrient absorption efficiency.

How Is This Problem Addressed?

Addressing obesity requires a multidisciplinary approach. While bariatric surgery can be effective in certain cases, it does not address the root causes of obesity. Many patients experience recurrence, gaining back equal to or greater than their pre-surgery weight. In fact:

• After five years, recurrence rates are between 20-30%.
• After ten years, this rises to 35-50%.
• After fifteen years, it can exceed 60%.

We cannot claim that bariatric surgery is a cure for obesity; rather, understanding the biochemical and physiological mechanisms involved alongside the altered systems is essential for effective treatment. Simply surgically intervening addresses the symptoms rather than the underlying causes.

My Thoughts: Tackling obesity requires a nuanced understanding of both the psychological and physiological factors that contribute to this complex condition. A comprehensive approach, encompassing dietary education, emotional support, and lifestyle adjustments, is vital for achieving lasting change.

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