Full

Fullness
Other names	Satiety
Specialty	Gastroenterology, Nutrition
Symptoms	Feeling of being adequately fed, no longer hungry
Usual onset	After eating
Duration	Variable
Causes	Consumption of food, gastric distension
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms
Differential diagnosis	Obesity, Eating disorders

Fullness is a physiological state of having had enough to eat, characterized by the cessation of hunger. It is a critical component of appetite regulation and plays a significant role in maintaining energy balance and body weight management. The sensation of fullness is primarily mediated by signals from the digestive system to the brain, indicating that enough food has been consumed.

Mechanisms

Fullness is regulated by a complex interaction between the gastrointestinal tract, the central nervous system, and various hormones. When food enters the stomach, it causes gastric distension that stimulates the vagus nerve. This nerve sends signals to the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, which processes these signals and leads to the sensation of satiety. Hormones such as cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) are released by the intestines during food intake and enhance the feeling of fullness by acting on the brain.

Clinical Significance

Proper regulation of fullness can help prevent conditions such as obesity and eating disorders. Conversely, dysregulation may lead to overeating or insufficient food intake. Understanding the mechanisms behind fullness can aid in developing treatments for these conditions.

See Also

• Appetite
• Nutrition
• Obesity
• Eating disorders