The Lasting Impact of Obesity on the Brain.

A study published in the journal Nature Metabolism found that the brains of people with obesity do not react normally to food, which could explain why weight loss can be difficult. The study looked at the signals the stomach sent to the brain after a meal in people who were leaner and in people who have obesity. The scans showed a rush of dopamine to the striatum, a chemical that gives a satisfying feeling of reward for the meal, but that relief didn't happen in people with obesity. The study suggests that obesity is more than a question of willpower and that more research is needed to understand the complex disease.