Introduction
Stress theory is commonly used in physiology to explain the organism’s response to external and internal factors that affect its homeostasis. The regulatory system sends signals to gather more resources that notify the organism of the need to eat or drink more nutritional elements. Therefore, stress increases appetite, which is a theory that many physiologists and psychologists utilize to deal with problems such as obesity and overeating. However, the concepts of stress and appetite are often misinterpreted by the general public.
Definition of Concepts and Related Fallacies
Stress
The term “stress” in daily life implies that this phenomenon is destructive. However, Michels (2019) uses it to describe cases where the environmental demands are more significant than the current organism’s resources. This definition does not provide a positive or negative perception and states the difference between needs and capacity. In reality, stress causes a hormone-associated increase in survivability and adaptability, which may be positive for the organism. Therefore, it should be abstracted from subjective judgment and analyzed according to the situation.
Appetite
Appetite has fewer misinterpreted uses than stress, but its mechanisms still need clarification. Miller (2019) explains the causes of hunger in physiological terms and defines the result as a subjective need to intake food. This subjectivity causes misunderstanding in the general public, as some people may perceive this feeling as objective and undeniable. This results in confusion and increased consumption, which may lead to obesity. Thus, separating cravings from needs is essential both in physiology and psychology.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correlation between stress and appetite is a well-known fact commonly used in physiology studies. However, it is essential to adequately explain the concepts that may need to be understood by the general public in a way that will ensure clarity and appropriate utilization of the theory later. Outlining the main features of the term is a great way to approach this problem and present a result that will be easier to understand for outside viewers who do not have a scientific background.
References
Michels, N. (2019). Biological underpinnings from psychosocial stress towards appetite and obesity during youth: research implications towards metagenomics, epigenomics and metabolomics. Nutrition Research Reviews, 32(2), 282–293. Web.
Miller, G. D. (2019). Appetite regulation: Hormones, peptides, and neurotransmitters and their role in obesity. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 13(6), 586–601. Web.