Hungry brains: A meta-analytical review of brain activation imaging studies on food perception and appetite in obese individuals

•We provide the first quantitative assessment of neurocognitive theories of obesity.•These results were obtained with quantitative meta-analyses of fMRI studies.•Overall, we provide support for an incentive sensitization theory of obesity.•Obese individuals have greater activation of reward regions for visual food cues.•The brain of obese individuals is more sensitive to hunger and less to satiety.