New study demonstrates biological causes of pleasure eating

A new study has shed light on the biological processes explaining eating for pleasure, which could be vital in helping to address the obesity epidemic.

Researchers led by the University of Naples have discovered that endogenous rewarding chemical signals can be activated when people eat for pleasure rather than hunger, a process known as hedonic eating.

Specifically, it is thought that endogenous substances regulating reward mechanisms like the hormone ghrelin and chemical compounds such as 2-arachidonoylglycerol are involved, thus overriding the body's signals that enough has been eaten to restore energy.

This process can play a key role in overeating and the development of obesity, which is a growing health concern in many developed nations.

Lead author Dr Palmiero Monteleone, of the University of Naples, said: "Understanding the physiological mechanisms underlying this eating behaviour may shed some light on the obesity epidemic."

Currently, obesity costs the NHS around 4.2 billion pounds a year in healthcare costs, a total that is set to more than double by 2050 if the current epidemic is left unaddressed.