Appetite and food intake regulations are enigmatic, complex processes with multiple endocrine and neuronal inputs from variety of organ systems. Hypothalamus is the centre of homeostatic regulation, whereas hedonic regulation is localized in prefrontal cortex and limbic system and is mediated particularly by opioids, endocannabinoids and dopamine.
This hedonic regulation prevails in persons at risk in obesitogenic milieu and together with insulin and leptin resistance is responsible for maintenance/progression of obesity.