Which brain region is associated with regulating appetite and energy balance?

• A. Thalamus
• B. Amygdala
• C. Hypothalamus
• D. Hippocampus

Answer: (C)

Appetite and energy balance are controlled by the hypothalamus, a brain region that monitors energy status and hormonal signals to regulate feeding behavior. Within the hypothalamus, different parts have opposing roles: the lateral hypothalamus tends to drive hunger, while the ventromedial hypothalamus promotes fullness. The arcuate nucleus houses two groups of neurons—one promoting appetite (NPY/AgRP) and one suppressing it (POMC/CART). Hormones such as leptin, insulin, and ghrelin feed these neurons with information about energy stores and meal timing. Leptin from fat tissue generally decreases hunger by acting on these pathways, and ghrelin from the stomach increases hunger before meals. Although the other regions are involved in other functions—like the thalamus as a relay for sensory information, the amygdala in emotion and reward, and the hippocampus in memory—they do not regulate appetite and energy balance as their primary role.