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

Kudos

The Appetite Team and Appetite Lab Alumni

  • Kudos to Daisy Zhou for her poster presentation on the role of the cerebellum in eating behavior, and to Liuyi Chen for her poster presentation on the neural correlates of food-related inhibitory control, at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting 2023 in Washington DC!
  • Kudos to Gita Thapaliya and other Appetite lab co-authors on the publication of our paper on genetic obesity risk and early frontostriatal development in Obesity!

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]