Effect of environmental conditions on appetite and food preference

Mice keep their core temperature around 37degrees by heat production. Their energy expenditure level is increased with decreasing temperature. Appetite is also increased with decreasing temperature. This body reaction is caused by desire for much more energy intake to keep their body temperature in low temperature environment. On the other hand, it is not clear about relationship between environmental temperature and food preference. We investigated the effects of habitat temperature on appetite and food preference of mammals. Interestingly, the leptin, peripheral system appetite-regulating hormone, acts not only to suppress appetite, but may also inhibit preference for lipids in low temperature acclimation.