Why do some people develop obesity while others remain lean?

We propose that individuals differ in appetite-related characteristics that manifest early in life, show genetic influence, and interact with environmental factors (e.g. family feeding practices) to predict eating behavior and weight.

To understand more about these characteristics, we use a range of methods including behavioral tests, parent- and self-report questionnaires (e.g. CEBQ, BEBQ), genotyping, hormonal assays, and neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MRI, PET).

Ongoing projects include investigations of appetite and body weight in infants, children, adolescents and adults, including studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, and individuals undergoing bariatric surgery.

The Appetite Lab

News from the Appetite Lab

Appetite Lab Study Helps to Identify How a Popular GLP-1 Medication Works for Weight Loss

The Appetite Lab sought to investigate the underlying mechanisms related to tirzepatide’s ability to induce weight loss. Learn more.
gloved hand holding device

Is Your Child a Picky Eater? Appetite Lab Study Suggests It Could Be All in Their Head

The Appetite Lab found food fussiness may be caused by the brain’s response to certain foods, and there is potential for children to change these habits. Learn more.
female holding a fork with lettuce and a bowl of salad

Kudos

The Appetite Team and Appetite Lab Alumni

  • Kudos to Abdul Ibrahim and other team members for acceptance of our paper on associations of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI with frontostriatal functional connectivity in young children by Pediatric Obesity!
  • Kudos to Sybil Hua, Gary Wu and other team members for acceptance of our paper validating the Food Motivation Battery [FMB], our novel item-specific measure of food motivation, by Appetite!

More Kudos

Call for Research Volunteers

Contact the Appetite Lab Team

600 N. Wolfe Street 
Phipps 300 
Baltimore, MD 21287
Phone: 410-955-7192
Fax: 410-614-3676
Email: [email protected]