Final answer:
Leptin is a hormone correlated with the amount of adipose tissue; more fat leads to more leptin, which decreases hunger. Obesity can lead to leptin resistance, where high leptin levels do not lead to satiety, causing overeating.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of leptin that is secreted into the bloodstream is directly correlated with the amount of adipose tissue in the body. Leptin, a protein hormone secreted by adipose tissues in response to food consumption, promotes satiety and helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger. In individuals with higher amounts of adipose tissue, a greater amount of leptin is released, which leads to a decreased appetite. Conversely, when there is less adipose tissue, less leptin is generated, resulting in an increased appetite.
Pathophysiology of obesity indicates that individuals who are obese may experience leptin resistance, a phenomenon where despite having high levels of fat and subsequently high leptin levels, the brain fails to recognize satiety, leading to overeating and further weight gain. Understanding leptin's role in appetite and metabolism is crucial for developing effective obesity treatments.