ettség

Etsség is a Hungarian term referring to the state of fullness or satiation that follows eating. It describes the combination of sensory experience and physiological signals that temporarily reduce appetite and stop further food intake after a meal. In everyday language, ettség is contrasted with éhség, or hunger.

Etymology and usage: The word ettség derives from the verb ét- meaning “to eat” and the abstract suffix -sség, which forms nouns indicating a state or condition. In nutrition science and everyday speech, ettség denotes the condition of being sated and the perceived satisfaction after eating.

Physiology and regulation: Satiety arises from gastric distension as food enters the stomach and from signaling molecules released by the gut and adipose tissue. Key hormones involved include ghrelin (hunger-stimulating), leptin, peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-1, and cholecystokinin, which convey fullness to the brain. The hypothalamus and connected neural circuits integrate these signals to regulate meal size and the interval until the next eating occasion. Etsség functions on both short-term and longer-term timescales, influencing daily energy intake and overall energy balance.

Types, measurement, and applications: Ettség can be physical (the tangible sensation of fullness) or psychological (a sense of satisfaction that dampens desire to eat). Researchers assess it through self-report scales and behavioral measures such as ad libitum intake. In practice, understanding ettség supports dietary planning, weight management, and treatment of eating-related disorders. Dietary strategies to enhance satiety include higher protein and fiber content, foods with high water or volume, slower eating, and adequate sleep.

See also: Hunger, Appetite, Satiety, Fullness.