A condition in which people lack the basic food intake to provide them with the energy and nutrients for fully productive, active lives; it is an outcome of food insecurity.
The strong desire or a craving for food.
A sensation produced by a physiological need for food.
Physiologic drive to consume food.
Sensation of needing to eat; may be accompanied by pain in the upper stomach region or weakness, depending on the degree of severity.
A craving for food or other substance necessary to bodily activity. Hunger for food is supposed to be directly produced by strong contractions of the stomach, which occur when it is empty, or nearly so.
A sensation resulting from lack of food, characterized by a dull or acute pain referred to the epigastrium or lower part of chest. It is usually accompanied by weakness and an overwhelming desire to eat. Hunger pains coincide with powerful contractions of the stomach. Hunger is distinguished from appetite in that hunger is the physical drive to eat, while appetite is the psychological drive to eat. Hunger is affected by the physiological interaction of hormones and hormone-like factors, while appetite is affected by habits, culture, taste, and many other factors.
The body’s physical response to the need for food.
A feeling of physical discomfort that is caused by the body’s need for nutrients.
The phenomenon known as “appetite” is a neurological impetus that is governed by the inner workings of the body, specifically the activities of the stomach and small intestine.
Hunger is an unpleasant sensation resulting from the need for food. It’s distinct from appetite, which is a pleasant feeling stimulated by the presence of food. Hunger arises when the stomach is empty and the blood glucose levels are low, usually several hours after the last meal or after vigorous physical activity. In reaction to these signals, the hypothalamus in the brain triggers the muscular wall of the stomach to contract rhythmically. If these contractions are strong enough, they can result in what is known as hunger pains.
Hunger can also manifest in conditions like thyrotoxicosis, a thyroid gland disorder, and diabetes mellitus. In the case of diabetes, an improper balance between insulin and carbohydrate intake can lead to abnormally low blood glucose levels, prompting feelings of hunger.