Jinsh

The food intake is controlled by centers in the hypothalamus. In the lower animals this control is so well adjusted that, even with an excess of available food, only such amounts as are needed are consumed. In the human, on the other hand, appetite and hunger are modified by many extraneous factors which alter the normal control of body weight. No abnormality in metabolic function has been demonstrated in the obese. Although constitutional factors determine the body builds of an individual, there is no evidence to suggest that such factors play a part in the pathogenesis of obesity except in so far as they may effects the psycho logic make – up and personality of the individual, including his neuromuscular activity and mode of life. Only in cases in which obesity is a result of organic lesions affecting the hypothalamic control of appetite, in such conditions as is let cell tumors of the pancreas and other causes of hypoglycemia, or in Cushing’s syndrome may one speak of an endogenously induced obesity. However, the possibility of functional disturbances in this psychogenic control cannot be denied. These may be activated by psychogenic disturbances or may reflect an intrinsic functional defect in the hypothalamic control of the caloric intake. The role of endocrine disturbances in obesity is considered in Part IV.

A deficiency of trace elements has been demonstrated in plant and animal husbandry, but there is no evidence of similar deficiencies in human nutrition except for iodine and iron. The requirement for certain elements, e.g., molybdenum, in animals is determined by the amount of other trace elements, such as copper, in the diet. There is no basis for the misguided addition of these trace elements to the diet.