It monitors the activities of the other glands to produce exactly the correct amount of their respective hormones. Hypothalamus is a group of neurons that act as the centre for appetite, the stimulation of which results in the sensation of hunger. If there is an abnormal function of this appetite centre in the hypothalamus, obesity is caused due to overeating. Obesity also results if the hormones that the pituitary gland secretes are deficient. One notable feature of this deficiency is along with causing obesity the height of the person gets retarded particularly in the case of growing children.
Girls stay short and stout and the onset of menses is delayed or absent for a very long period.
In cases where this gland is overactive and secrete hormones in excess of what it should, the person grows to an abnormal size. This is known as gigantism. The second gland that contributes obesity is the thyroid. This is situated in the neck. A deficiency in the hormones secreted by these gland results in the speedy division of cells.