What is hyperphagia?

Hyperphagia, also known as overeating, is a complex behavioral pattern that is closely associated with the development of obesity. It is characterized by a persistent desire to consume large amounts of food, often beyond satiety. These eating habits can be influenced by various factors, including genetic predispositions.

An important gene of interest in this context is the FTO gene. Certain variants of this gene, in particular the polymorphism rs9939609, are associated with an increased tendency towards hyperphagia and associated weight gain. These variants influence not only eating behavior but also neurobiological processes that regulate food intake.

Individuals carrying certain risk genotypes of the FTO gene often show increased cravings for energy-dense food and a reduced sense of satiety. This behavior can start as early as childhood and often continues into adulthood, increasing the likelihood of long-term weight gain and associated health problems.

Behavioral aspects of hyperphagia

Excessive eating can be influenced not only by physiological factors but also by psychological and behavioral aspects. People who tend to overeat often have a disturbed perception of hunger and satiety, which is associated with a loss of control over food intake. This can be exacerbated by emotional factors such as stress, depression or other mental health issues. The ability to regulate food intake can be severely impaired, leading to repeated overeating. The FTO gene plays a role in this context, as certain variants of this gene are associated with an increased risk of developing such behavioral eating disorders.

Good to know

The influence of the FTO gene on overeating can be so strong that carriers of certain variants show an increased tendency to "emotional eating", i.e. they are particularly prone to using food intake as a coping mechanism for stress or negative feelings.

Effects on metabolism

The greatly increased food intake significantly affects the body's energy balance. A permanently high energy consumption due to excessive food intake can lead to a positive energy balance in which more calories are consumed than burned. This promotes weight gain and can lead to overweight and obesity in the long term. Furthermore, chronic over-eating can also alter the metabolic processes in the body. Overeating can disrupt the regulation of hunger and satiety hormones such as ghrelin and leptin. This in turn can affect appetite and lead to increased food intake, making weight control even more difficult.

What does genetics have to do with it?

Research has shown that the rs9939609 polymorphism is significantly associated with an increased tendency to overeat. People who carry the risk variant of this SNP tend to eat larger amounts of food and often have a reduced sense of satiety. This can lead to an increased calorie intake and, in the long term, increase the likelihood of being overweight or obese. The SNP rs9939609 influences the regulation of hunger and satiety mechanisms, which is supported by altered activity in the brain, particularly in areas associated with reward and motivation.

In addition, the rs9939609 polymorphism also influences the postprandial response to food intake. Individuals with the risk variant often experience increased hunger and decreased satiety after meals, further increasing the risk of developing hyperphagia. The effects of this SNP on energy intake and utilization can negatively impact metabolic health and promote the development of obesity.