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Why can fat tissue affect long-term regulation of food intake?

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Two wild horses graze on tall grass in the open prairie of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with rolling badlands visible in the background. — Feeding behaviour Wild horses graze in the Badlands of North Dakota.

Fat tissue plays a critical role in the long-term regulation of food intake by acting as a primary storage site for energy and a source of chemical signals that influence hunger and satiety.12

The body continuously monitors energy levels across several regions, including the digestive tract, the bloodstream, and fat tissues. When fat cells are active, they release the hormone leptin, which travels to the hypothalamus in the brain. By binding to leptin receptors on neurons in the hypothalamus, this hormone promotes a feeling of satiety and reduces the motivation to eat.213

This feedback mechanism helps the body maintain a relatively constant energy balance over time. When fat stores are sufficient, the resulting satiety signals help override the urge to consume more food. Conversely, if these signals are disrupted—such as through leptin receptor deficiency—the brain may fail to register satiety, leading to persistent hunger, overeating, and obesity. Thus, fat tissue functions as a key component in the complex network of signals that balance caloric intake with energy output.231