Hunger is the urge to eat and is accompanied by a number of unpleasant sensations. It follows a period when one has been deprived of food, and is generally associated with contraction of the stomach. The individual begins to feel irritable, uneasy, and tired. If a blood sample is taken at this time, the blood sugar level is somewhat low. When food is taken, the individual begins to feel better almost immediately.

Appetite is the anticipation of and the desire to eat palatable food.

People eat not only to satisfy hunger, but also because food has many meanings for them. Good or bad food habits result from the interaction of social, emotional, and cultural factors. In order to help improve your own food habits and to help other people improve theirs, you need to appreciate and understand the variations people have in their likes and dislikes and their attitudes toward food.

Some people have good food habits because they have been fortunate in their early home and school environment. Other people through education have seen the need for change and have been willing to work to modify their habits.

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GENERAL HEALTH