How can disruptions in leptin signaling contribute to overeating?

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Close-up of hands using a measuring tape to measure the waist circumference of an obese man wearing a white shirt and beige pants. — obesity The excessive accumulation of body fat can cause serious medical conditions.

Leptin is a hormone released by fat cells that plays a critical role in regulating metabolism and hunger. Under normal conditions, leptin binds to leptin receptors located on neurons in the hypothalamus, triggering chemical signals that promote satiety and reduce the desire to eat.1

Disruptions in this signaling pathway, such as leptin receptor deficiency, prevent the brain from receiving these satiety signals. When the body cannot effectively process leptin, it fails to register that it has sufficient energy stores. This leads to persistent feelings of hunger and subsequent overeating, which are primary drivers of obesity. In such cases, individuals may exhibit elevated levels of leptin in their blood plasma, yet the brain remains unable to respond to the hormone's regulatory effects.1