Scientific Analysis of Dietary Differences Between Thin and Overweight People: Why It's Important to Focus on Satiety When Losing Weight

Let's look at the differences in eating habits between thin and obese people. Both ate curry rice for lunch, the same portion size, and the same number of calories, yet one is thin and the other is obese.

Why is this? Is it a difference in body constitution?

Let's assume the satiety scale we just discussed contained one bowl of curry rice. In terms of satiety, one bowl of curry rice only accounts for about 30%. This means that if you eat it at level 3 ("stomach is very empty"), you'll reach level 6 ("stomach doesn't feel empty"). After 10 minutes, as the satiety nerves in the stomach activate, the feeling further advances to level 7, which is the state of "full." However, this is entirely the situation after 10 minutes.

However, obese people don't wait until level 3 to eat. They usually eat at level 4 or 5, or even at level 6 ("stomach doesn't feel empty"). As mentioned in the previous chapter, obese people habitually think that as long as their stomach isn't full, there's still a chance to eat something else.

What happens if you eat curry rice at level 5? The result is that you'll reach level 8, and immediately feel a heavy feeling in your stomach after eating. This is the typical feeling of fullness for overweight people. Level 6 or 7 isn't considered full for them; they only decide to stop eating at level 8.

Do you understand now?

In other words, thin people only consider eating at level 3 or 4.

But overweight people start snacking or eating treats at level 6 or 5, completely forgetting about levels 3 and 4.

Because I'm like that myself, I understand this very well. I used to always eat at level 6 or 5.

When I had free time or was bored, I immediately wanted to eat something. Even right after eating, when my stomach is painfully full (actually, I always feel uncomfortable right after eating), I'll think helplessly, "What a pity, I can't eat anything more!" If I don't feel uncomfortable, I'll think, "There's still a chance! I'll eat something else."

As long as there's even a tiny bit of space in my stomach, I'll happily fill it with food. My mind is only thinking: It's such a waste not to eat more since I can still eat.

It's like plugging in a phone to charge it immediately when the battery is just one bar low; the battery will definitely be damaged because it will cause the fullness sensor to malfunction.

Similarly, if you eat at a level 5 or 6 (satility level), the satiety sensor will also malfunction. Without knowing what "fasting" means, you'll mistakenly believe that not being full is the same as being hungry.