title: Physiology of energy intake: an inventory control model.
abstract: An inventory control model is used to describe the regulation of depot fat and contribution made to the satiation process by putative feedback signals. In the two bin inventory control system, adipose tissue is viewed as a large storage reservoir which is periodically refilled by means of adjustments made in meal consumption. The gastrointestinal tract is viewed as a smaller bin which triggers renewed food ingestion when it becomes partially emptied. However, reduction in the contents of the adipose tissue bin below a critical level (reorder point quantity) generates a signal to the brain that appropriately modulates meal size and intermeal interval. Because this model evolved to cope with worst case situations, a strong bias for storage in time of plenty is inherent in the system. This fact helps to account for the high prevalence of obesity in energy-rich societies, where, in contrast to the situation that obtains in primitive societies, the energy cost of obtaining food is minimal.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005246:Feedback; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005746:Gastric Emptying; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D011168:Portal System / Q000378:metabolism; D012527:Satiation / Q000502:physiology