SIGNALS THAT REGULATE FOOD-INTAKE AND ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS

Feeding behavior is critical for survival. In addition to providing al l of the body's macronutrients (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins) a nd most micronutrients (minerals and vitamins), feeding behavior is a fundamental aspect of energy homeostasis, the process by which body fu el stored in the form of adipose tissue is held constant over long int ervals. For this process to occur, the amount of energy consumed must match precisely the amount of energy expended. This review focuses on the molecular signals that modulate food intake while integrating the body's immediate and long-term energy needs.