Neural Bases Chapter Body Weight Regulation And

Body Weight Regulation and Anorexia

According to data by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the
United States has seen a dramatic increase in obesity with all states
having 20% or more of their population being obese (U.S. Obesity
Trends). On the other hand, it is estimated that 8 million Americans
suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia (Eating
Disorder Statistics). These two observations point to the prevalence of
body weight concerns in contemporary U.S. culture. Given these facts,
what light do scientific findings shed on the problem of body weight
regulation?

For this week’s Discussion you analyze the complex factors that
contribute to body weight. You also assess the biological and cultural
influences related to eating disorders.

With these thoughts in mind:

PART 1 – WRITE a Post a description of how metabolic rate

changes with caloric intake. Then describe at least four influences on

body weight. Finally, explain how cultural influences might contribute

to eating disorders. Support your postings and responses with specific

references to the literature and Learning Resources.

Required Resources

Readings

• Breedlove, S. M., & Watson, N. V. (2018). Behavioral neuroscience (8th ed.) New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
  • Chapter 12, “Sex: Evolutionary, Hormonal, and Neural Bases”
  • Chapter 13, “Homeostasis: Active Regulation of Internal States”
• Schwarz, N. A., Rigby, B. R., La Bounty, P., Shelmadine, B., &
  Bowden, R. G. (2011). A review of weight control strategies and their
  effects on the regulation of hormonal balance. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 1–15. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21822485

Media

• Sinauer Associates, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Ovarian and uterine cycles. Available from http://www.sinauer.com/levay3e/activities0503.html
• Sinauer Associates, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Negative feedback. Available from https://www.bn8e.com/

Optional Resources

• Obesity. (2011). A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004552/

References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). U.S. obesity trends. Retrieved February 21, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

South Carolina Department of Mental Health. (2006). Eating disorder statistics. Retrieved from http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm

PART 2 –

Application: Paper on Sexual Differentiation

Hormones play a crucial role in shaping the fetal body into either a
male- or female-typical body. The brain determines the type and amount
of hormones the fetus produces. Furthermore, hormones do not act alone,
but rather in concert with brain regions that regulate sexual
behavior. The brain, therefore, not only regulates sexual behavior, but
it is also shaped by the same hormones that prepare the body for
reproduction. These facts raise intriguing questions about gender,
sexual behavior and orientation, and the extent to which these are, or
are not, under conscious human control.

For this Assignment, you research and evaluate the current literature
on prenatal influences on sexual behavior, gender orientation, or
gender typical behavior.

The Assignment:

Select an article related to the process of sexual differentiation,
prenatal influences on sexual orientation, gender orientation, or
gender typical behavior and write a 2- to 3-page paper that addresses
the following:

• Write a brief summary of the article you selected. Describe two
  implications of the article’s findings. Explain whether the findings
  concur or conflict with the body of literature in this area.
• List one question that remains unanswered and is in need of further research.