Increased appetite

An abnormally elevated drive to eat, characterized by increased hunger signals and excessive desire for food intake relative to metabolic requirements.

Causes

• Endocrine and metabolic causes

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Hyperthyroidism

  • Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome

• Medication and substance-related causes

  • Prednisone and other corticosteroids

  • Antidepressants

  • Antipsychotics

  • Cannabis

  • Other medications affecting appetite regulation

• Neurological causes

  • Prader–Willi syndrome

  • Hypothalamic disorders affecting appetite control

  • Brain injury involving appetite-regulating pathways

  • Hypothalamic tumors or lesions

• Psychiatric causes

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Atypical depression

  • Emotional eating disorders

• Lifestyle and physiological causes

  • Sleep deprivation

  • Dehydration

  • Low-fiber diet

  • Diets lacking sufficient protein or healthy fats

  • Pregnancy

  • Increased energy demands