The desire or motivation to eat.
Appetite is influenced by signals from the brain, digestive system, hormones, emotions, environment, medications, illness, and previous eating experiences. It is related to hunger but is not exactly the same thing.
A person can have an appetite without a strong physiological need for food, or have a physiological need for food while experiencing little desire to eat.
QUICK FACT
Appetite and hunger are not identical. Hunger is primarily a physiological drive for food, while appetite includes the desire or motivation to eat.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Hunger: the physiological drive that develops when the body needs energy or nutrients.
SEE ALSO
