Many people feel full after just a few bites, find the smell or sight of food unappealing, or start avoiding meals with others because eating feels like a chore. So, what’s going on?

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), changes in appetite can result from hormonal imbalances involving two key hormones: leptin and ghrelin. Leptin, produced in fat tissue, signals the brain to suppress hunger, while ghrelin, released in the stomach, stimulates appetite. These hormones balance each other, but factors such as lack of sleep, stress, or irregular eating habits can disrupt this balance, leading to unusual feelings of hunger or fullness.