Understanding Anorexia Through the Study of Ground Squirrels During Hibernation

Anorexia, a condition characterized by a significant reduction in food intake despite negative energy balance, poses severe risks to health and quality of life. It manifests in various forms in humans, including anorexia nervosa and physiological anorexia. While psychological and social factors have been widely studied, the physiological causes remain less understood.

For ground squirrels, anorexia is not a pathological condition but an adaptive strategy for survival during hibernation. Recent research by Sarah M. Mohr et al highlights the unique hibernation patterns of thirteen-lined ground squirrels, which could provide valuable insights into anorexia in humans.