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Abstract

This research explores how the achievement motivation pathway in the cortex influences hypothalamic activity, which could influence appetite control and obesity avoidance. The objective was to examine the sympathetic/parasympathetic feedback loop, and the influence of various biofeedback relaxation techniques on lowering heart rate (HR) and electrodermal activity (EDA). The methodology used was a standard biofeedback mechanism with visual representation of the measured physiological parameters. The feedforward part of the said feedback loop is controlled by hypothalamus while the feedback part is evaluated by the cortex. The participants were young adults and the sample size was ten. The results revealed that three (posture relaxation, breathing in and out very slowly, and closing the eyes) of five techniques used contributed more in controlling physiological parameters than the other two. The results imply that the energy balance feedback loop, which is also controlled by the hypothalamus, can be used to influence obesity avoidance.

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