ruokahalun

Ruokahalun, in Finnish, refers to appetite—the desire to eat. It encompasses both physiological signals of hunger and the hedonic drive to seek and consume food. The term ruokahalun is the genitive form of ruokahalu and is used in phrases such as ruokahalun säätely (regulation of appetite) or ruokahalun häiriöt (appetite disorders).

Physiological regulation of ruokahalun involves both homeostatic and hedonic systems. The hypothalamus integrates signals related to energy balance, while reward circuits in the brain mediate the pleasurable aspects of eating. Hormones such as ghrelin, produced mainly in the stomach, increase hunger, whereas leptin and insulin promote satiety. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY), Agouti-related peptide (AgRP), and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), modulate hunger and fullness. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway contributes to the rewarding experience of eating, influencing hedonic cravings beyond energy needs.

Many factors influence ruokahalun beyond biology. Recent meals, sleep quality, and energy balance shape short-term appetite. Psychological states, stress, mood, and cultural or social cues affect cravings and meal choices. Sensory factors such as taste, smell, and aroma can enhance or suppress appetite, as can age, illness, medications, and hormonal changes.

Clinical relevance includes conditions where appetite is reduced or excessive. Reduced appetite can accompany illness, depression, or aging; increased or dysregulated appetite can occur with obesity, binge eating, or eating disorders. Assessment often relies on self-report measures of hunger and fullness, dietary intake records, and, in research, physiological or neuroimaging methods.