The desire of or craving for food.
Although the feathers are the one part of a chicken that my Uncle Alan, even at his hungriest, will not eat, the word appetite and the word feather nonetheless derive from the same source. This shared source was an Indo-European word pronounced something like pter, meaning wing. In Greek, this word developed into pteron, meaning wing, which appears in pterodactyl, an extinct flying reptile whose name literally means wing-finger. Similarly, in the Germanic language family, the Indo-European pter developed into fethra, which evolved into the English feather in the eleventh century. In Latin, pter developed somewhat differently: it became the verb petere, meaning to seek or to strive for, the connection being that wings are used to fly toward some desired goal (in English, we also talk about winging our way toward something). This Latin petere then became attached to the preposition ad, meaning toward, so that the resulting adpetere literally meant to strive toward something. From adpetere, the word appetite evolved, which—when it appeared in English in the late fourteenth century—had become a noun meaning a desire for something, especially food. More recently, in the mid nineteenth century, appetite also gave rise to appetizer, the name of a savoury treat that stimulates a desire for food.
The desire for food, influenced by external stimuli.
The feeling of wanting food.
During weight balance, food intake and energy expenditure are closely linked and individuals, such as athletes, who expend a large amount of energy will require consumption of an equal amount of energy and those expending low amounts of energy will require a lower energy intake. Interestingly, however, for those initiating an exercise program, research suggests that energy intake and expenditure are not quite so tightly linked and energy intake may not match energy expenditure, leading to weight loss. One explanation is that the appetite may be suppressed, perhaps due to elevated core body temperature, following a vigorous bout of exercise. Although exercise may play a role in determining appetite, many other factors aside from exercise have strong influences on food intake.
Normal desire, especially for food, but also for other needs, including sex.
A desire for food. Appetite is regulated by t he hypothalamus and the cerebral cortex in the brain. A healthy appetite is a sign of well-being, while a change in appetite can be a symptom of physical or emotional problems. Signs of appetite problems include significant weight loss or gain, a lack of energy, and an alteration in bowel habits. Older people or people with chronic illnesses often experience a loss of appetite. People who experience a significant change in appetite are advised to consult their physician.
A craving for the food necessary to maintain the body and to supply it with sufficient energy to carry on its functions.
A strong desire, especially for food. Appetite differs from hunger in that the latter is an uncomfortable sensation caused by lack of food, whereas appetite is a pleasant sensation based on previous experience that causes one to seek food for the purpose of tasting and enjoying.
A desire for food that is based on emotional factors rather than on nutritional need.
The physiological impulse that governs an individual’s inclination to consume food is regulated by extrinsic variables such as visual perception, olfaction, auditory perception, and communal conduct.
Appetite refers to the longing for food, a delightful sensation experienced in anticipation of eating. It should be distinguished from hunger, which is an unpleasant feeling that arises from the body’s requirement for nourishment.
Appetite, which is under the regulation of two brain regions, namely the hypothalamus and cerebral cortex, is acquired through the pleasurable experience of diverse foods that possess appealing aromas, flavors, and appearances. Working in conjunction with hunger, appetite plays a crucial role in ensuring the consumption of an appropriate quantity and variety of foods essential for maintaining good health.