Fatty foods affect the brain

Scientists say their studies of the impact on the brain of fatty, sugary foods could shed new light on Australia's obesity epidemic.

A neuroscientist from the University of New South Wales, Professor Margaret Morris, says the study has found such foods trigger the same response in the brain as some recreational drugs.

She says it could explain why one third of men and half of women in Australia are classified as obese.

"It seems that having yummy food available makes you feel better, and maybe that is part of our problem with the obesity epidemic," she said.

"Maybe food is being used to alleviate stress in a similar way in the human and that behaviour is rewarding and so the person continues to do it because it makes them feel good," she said.

Professor Morris is presenting the findings at a free lecture tonight at the University of Tasmania in Hobart.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/18/2850000.htm
posted March 18th 2010


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