Fullness

Fullness is a sensation experienced after the consumption of food or drink. It is a subjective feeling of having had enough to eat, often described as a feeling of being "satisfied". Fullness is a key aspect of appetite regulation and is influenced by a variety of factors, including the type and amount of food consumed, the individual's metabolic rate, and hormonal signals from the digestive system.

Causes of Fullness

Fullness can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Eating a large amount of food
• Consuming foods high in fiber, which can help to increase feelings of fullness
• Drinking a large amount of liquid, particularly water
• Certain medical conditions, such as gastroparesis, can cause feelings of fullness even when little or no food has been consumed

Regulation of Fullness

The sensation of fullness is regulated by a complex interplay of hormonal signals and neural feedback mechanisms. The stomach and intestines release a variety of hormones in response to food intake, including ghrelin, leptin, and peptide YY. These hormones interact with the brain to signal fullness and regulate appetite.

Health Implications

Feeling full can be a healthy response to eating enough food, but persistent feelings of fullness can also be a sign of underlying health problems. For example, individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa may experience persistent feelings of fullness due to a distorted perception of their own hunger and satiety signals. Similarly, individuals with certain digestive disorders, such as gastroparesis, may feel full after eating only a small amount of food.

See Also

• Appetite
• Hunger
• Satiety
• Eating disorders
• Digestive disorders

References

Fullness Resources
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