Section: New Results

Mathematical model of food intake dynamics

In [18] , we propose a nonlinear mathematical model of food intake dynamics and body weight dynamics, involving the description of several regulating hormones (leptin, ghrelin, insulin). Using a temporal perturbation of food availability in groups of rats, this model is able to predict body weight and food intake variations by taking into account energy expenditure dynamics based on a memory of the previous food intake. This model also allowed us to estimate the memory lag to approximately 8 days. It also explains how important variations in food availability during periods longer than these 8 days can induce body weight gains.