The hypothalamus is part of the brain that helps regulate energy balance and how calories are burned. If it gets damaged from injury, brain tumors, or surgery, you may develop a condition called hypothalamic obesity. You can also be born with hypothalamic obesity if you have certain genetic disorders.

As with other types of obesity, lifestyle changes and medical treatments are used to help manage hypothalamic obesity symptoms. There’s no specific diet recommended to treat hypothalamic obesity. That being said, following a healthy diet can help with overall well-being. Here’s some background on choosing the best diet for hypothalamic obesity.

1. Hypothalamic Obesity Affects Many Processes in the Body

Your hypothalamus influences the energy-in and energy-out processes that contribute to your body weight. It’s part of your brain that impacts your drive to eat and your body’s natural calorie-burning engine. When the hypothalamus is damaged, this system gets out of balance and causes weight gain.

The hypothalamus also affects other body systems that are indirectly connected to body weight. For example, some people with hypothalamic obesity have trouble sleeping and regulating their body temperature. These changes can promote weight gain by lowering your motivation to exercise and boosting your appetite.

Some people with hypothalamic obesity also have pituitary gland damage. The pituitary gland controls various hormones. Hormones from the pituitary gland that affect body weight include cortisol, growth hormone, and thyroid hormone. Your doctor will need to consider which hormones are out of balance when deciding how to manage your symptoms.

2. Hypothalamic Obesity Requires a Long-Term Eating Plan

Your healthcare provider will work with you to manage hypothalamic obesity. Treatment is based on your individual situation. They may give you a daily calorie target and tell you to track your food intake. They may also suggest choosing foods that are higher in fiber to help you feel full.

There’s no shortage of weight loss diets. Some are better than others. Avoid fad diets that make unrealistic promises. Many of these approaches are too hard to maintain and don’t give your body complete nutrition.

People with hypothalamic obesity need an eating plan they can follow long term. It should provide essential nutrients and meet (not exceed) their body’s calorie needs.

Examples of balanced diets that can support a healthy weight include:

• DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet
• Mediterranean diet
• Mayo Clinic diet

Various diets focus on macronutrients, such as:

• High-protein diets, like the Dukan and Paleo diets
• Low-carbohydrate diets, like Atkins and ketogenic diets
• Low-fat diets, including the Ornish diet

These diets may be effective for weight loss, but they can feel too restrictive. If you’re not careful, you may also miss out on key nutrients. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider for advice and monitoring if you decide to try a restrictive diet.

There are also several meal replacement diets, like SlimFast and Jenny Craig. Unfortunately, these programs can be expensive. You may find yourself missing real food and getting tired of the meal replacements over time.

Finally, very low-calorie liquid diets aren’t sustainable for long-term weight management. You should only try this approach if your doctor recommends it and they’re monitoring you. Losing weight on a very restrictive diet can be hard to maintain. If you stop the program, your weight might come back quickly.

3. Research Doesn’t Support One Specific Diet for Hypothalamic Obesity

There’s no exact diet or exercise program for hypothalamic obesity. You’ll need to ask yourself what kind of diet you can maintain. You’ll also need to make sure the diet supplies your body with adequate nutrition.

Treatment for hypothalamic obesity usually focuses on preventing excessive weight gain and avoiding complications. Every person with hypothalamic obesity is unique. If you have other conditions, like kidney problems, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes, you may have specific dietary needs.

If you have other conditions, like kidney problems, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes, you may have specific dietary needs.

In general, research supports these basic principles for obesity management:

• Eat enough dietary fiber (from plant foods, like fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains).
• Be mindful about carbohydrates, choosing “whole” carbs instead of refined flour or sugar.
• Get enough protein to support your metabolism and promote satiety (fullness).
• Avoid ultraprocessed foods that provide lots of calories and little nutrition.

Some popular diets, like the Mediterranean diet, share these values. Remember that you don’t have to subscribe to a brand-name diet plan to make healthier choices.

4. Dietary Changes Should Be Small and Gradual

It’s important to have realistic expectations when starting a weight loss diet. Hunger can make dieting difficult. Since hypothalamic obesity may increase your appetite, you may feel hungrier than expected even when you’re eating balanced meals.

You may find it easier to make one small change at a time rather than completely overhauling your diet. Setting specific goals can help you move closer to a healthy diet that supports weight loss. Examples may include:

• Drinking your coffee without added sugar
• Having brown rice with dinner instead of white rice
• Choosing fresh fruit for a snack instead of processed foods
• Planning protein with every meal

With hypothalamic obesity, it may feel like your body is fighting against your weight loss goals. That’s why support and accountability are vital. Nutritional support from a registered dietitian and a weight loss support group can give you a forum to share your experiences and work through hardships. Using tools, like a food diary, can also help you be more accountable and mindful of your eating habits.

Nutritional support from a registered dietitian and a weight loss support group can give you a forum to share your experiences and work through hardships.

5. Diet Is Only One Aspect of Hypothalamic Obesity Treatment

For people with hypothalamic obesity, the usual advice to “eat less and move more” can seem like it’s not enough to stop weight gain. That’s because hypothalamic obesity causes you to burn fewer calories, even when you exercise. You may limit calories yet still gain weight because your body burns less throughout the day.

In some cases, problems with the hypothalamus lead to a bigger appetite, called hyperphagia. Hypothalamic obesity can be hard to manage if you constantly feel hungry and aren’t satisfied after meals.

Fortunately, people with all forms of obesity have better treatment options available than before. Your healthcare provider may suggest medications including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists, stimulants, metformin, and other drugs. They will also look at how your condition is impacting your hormones. They may prescribe treatments to address hormone imbalances. Bariatric surgery may be an option if diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough.

Physical activity programs and psychological counseling can also help you get the most out of treatment. Even if it’s not an easy journey, knowing that you’re not alone can help you move forward in the right direction.

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Have you tried a specific diet for hypothalamic obesity? Let others know in the comments below.