Question: so do you look at anarexics too? or is that more psychology? x

Michelle Murphy answered on 13 Jun 2010:

Hey Hannah,
Thanks for the question. Yes in a sence I do. I look at weight loss and weight gain but with medical conditions like obestiy and anorexia they is definately a psychology side to them as well as a physiological aspect. Peoples emotions are complicated things and not to be shrugged off when it comes to eating habits. I am definately guilty of eating more junk food especially phish food ice cream when I am sad and much more likely to eat summery things like fruit when I am happy.

From the body’s point of view, its much easier to put on weight (a kind of adaption from the cave days to stop us dying if we couldn’t always find food) so how we lose weight through ilness or choice is very interesting. Some animals lose weight with the seasons like the siberian hamster, they but on weight in summer and lose 40% of their body weight in winter (this makes them smaller so they need less energy and less food which is lucky for them as snowy siberia doesn’t have that much for a hamster to eat in winter) so they can tell us alot about losing weight and putting on weight. There is lots to learn and hopefully we will understand conditions like obesity and anorexia better especially as it could make life easier and healthier for a lot of people.