Apetito (del lat. appetītus). Impulso instintivo que lleva a satisfacer deseos o necesidades básicas. El apetito es el deseo de ingerir alimento, sentido como hambre. El apetito existe en todas las formas de vida superiores, y sirve para regular el adecuado ingreso de energía para mantener las necesidades metabólicas. Es regulado por una estrecha interacción entre el aparato digestivo, el tejido adiposo y el cerebro. La polifagia (o hiperfagia) es el aumento de la ingesta de alimentos.

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Appetite is the desire to eat food, sometimes due to hunger. Appealing foods can stimulate appetite even when hunger is absent. Appetite exists in all higher life-forms, and serves to regulate adequate energy intake to maintain metabolic needs. It is regulated by a close interplay between the digestive tract, adipose tissue and the brain. Appetite has a relationship with every individual's behavior. Appetitive and consummatory behaviours are the only processes that involve energy intake, whereas all other behaviours affect the release of energy. When stressed, appetite levels may increase and result in an increase of food intake. Decreased desire to eat is termed anorexia, while polyphagia (or "hyperphagia") is increased eating. Dysregulation of appetite contributes to anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, cachexia, overeating, and binge eating disorder.

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