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Facts on Appetite

About this Author
Anne Hinze, who has a Master's Degree in English, is an editor for American Book Publishing and a freelance writer for Writers Research Group, where she has published many online articles pertaining to fitness. Hinze is a lover of extreme sports including rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking and mountainboarding.

1. More Complicated Than You May Think
While most people just view an appetite as our normal desire to eat, it is a truly complicated and scientific device. Originally, our appetite simply kept us alive but today it seems to be driving many Americans towards death. The appetite is difficult to understand because it's not just a single system in our bodies. It involves many different factors including our senses, chemistry, biology, and psychology. Doctors around the world are studying how to control it, modify it, and satisfy it all at the same time.

2. Going Up
The desire for more food than you normally eat can be hyperphagia or polyphagia. Hyperphagia is associated with an abnormality in the hypothalamus and results in eating beyond normal limits, even to the point of vomiting. Polyphagia is medical term for simply overeating, though this may be the result of psychological and endocrine gland disorders. Some of the underlying reasons for overeating include anxiety, depression, diabetes mellitus, Graves' disease, hyperthyroidism or hypoglycemia. Polyphagia is very common and does not always result in weight gain.

3. Going Down
A number of different factors can contribute to your loss of appetite. A poor appetite may be the result of a common illness like a cold or the flu, stress, being emotionally upset or depression. Certain medications may diminish your appetite as well. Antibiotics, codeine, Demerol and chemotherapies are all medicines that can work as appetite suppressants. If you've lost your appetite for any of these reasons, be sure to eat high-calorie healthy foods when you do eat. Try eating smaller meals more often throughout the day as well.

4. That Needy Feeling
An imbalance of blood sugar is often the key element in creating cravings but there are often other factors at work as well. Some people crave certain foods, commonly called "comfort foods," because they provide emotional relief. Hormones can also cause us to crave specific foods, as is assumed when a premenstrual woman craves chocolate. Some pregnant women also develop unique cravings. The best ways to control cravings is to eat a well-balanced diet at regular times, avoid too much sugar or salt, and stay away from stimulant foods and drinks like caffeine and sweets.

5. Taking Control
Whether you eat too much or too little, there are ways to control your appetite. The best behaviors to adopt are eating well-balanced healthy meals of reasonable portions. Eat plenty of proteins, vegetables and fruits while eating carbohydrates and sweets in small quantities. Take your time when eating to allow your body to realize it's filling up. Include small healthy snacks to maintain a steady metabolism. Exercise moderately to maintain a steady burning of and need for fuel.