Obese people's brains are shaped differently.
Obese people's brains are shaped in a different way
Scientists at Cambridge University have discovered that the hypothalamus - the region that acts as the brain's "appetite control centre" - is significantly bigger in those who are overweight.
The experts suggested that an unhealthy diet can cause this area of the brain to become inflamed and believe it may explain why obese individuals are less likely to feel full after eating.
Studies in animals show that a high-fat diet causes the hypothalamus to swell and prompts obesity although scientists want to conduct further studies on humans.
Lead author Dr. Stephanie Brown said: "If what we see in mice is the case in people, then eating a high-fat diet could trigger inflammation of our appetite control centre.
"Over time, this would change our ability to tell when we've eaten enough and to how our body processes blood sugar, leading us to put on weight."