Why do overweight people develop these problems? Overweight people experience intense hunger because of an abnormally operating hypothalamus which leads to low metabolism. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the body which regulates hunger and metabolism in human beings. In fat people this gland does not operate in a normal state. Prolonged fasting and acute dieting shock the hypothalamus. Physical conditions like Candida yeast overgrowth, clogged colon and liver contribute to this. Certain food additives, allergies and psychological causes compound the problem.