The motivational factors associated with eating are biological, psychological, and social events. The biological motivation associated with eating has three basic reasons. Those reasons are as a source of energy, necessity for cell rebuilding and the manufacturing of different chemicals, hormones, and enzymes, and to remove toxins in the body due to eating a variety of foods (Franken, 2007). There are many reasons behind the motivation of eating when we look at psychological. There is the motivation of habit, when one eats at the same time every day, they will do so whether they are hungry or not. Some people are motivated to eat due to the taste of food, as well as the texture. Stress is another motivational aspect of the psychological component. Although, stress has different effects on the sexes. For men, they tend to eat less food in times of stress and women tend to eat twice as much food during times of stress (Franken, 2007). Eating is also motivated by social events or food sharing. This could be potlucks at work, weddings, graduations, and even a gathering after a death (Franken, 2007).
The implications of eating when we view it from a biological aspect is that we are only doing as our body needs for survival. We are choosing foods wisely, to help us detox, to give us energy, and to support healthy cell growth and the creation of hormones, etc. (Franken, 2007). Our bodies receive energy through the fats in foods, such as milk, cooking oils, nuts, meat products, carbohydrates (sugars and starches), fruits, proteins (beans and seeds). The beans, seeds, and meats also are full of amino acids, which are responsible for the rebuilding of cells and manufacturing neurotransmitters (Franken, 2007). Red fruits and green teas are foods that assist our bodies in detoxing, or removing toxins that are built up in our bodies.
If our body is running low on energy we might find that we are motivated by hunger or a craving to eat something high in fat, such as animal meat, or some type of protein. If our body is having trouble with rebuilding cells, one might find they begin to crave more seeds or bean to get amino acids into their bodies. If one is finding themselves motivated to eat more red fruits, or drink more green tea in their day, maybe their body has had a build-up of toxins. This motivation is a great way to assist in our survival. If we did not have the biological motivations, we would not survive as long as we do.
The understanding of motivation and behaviors associated with eating from the cognitive aspect would be psychological. Many times individuals will eat strictly out of habit. Habit is meaning that we eat at the same time every day, not matter if we are truly hungry or not. In some cases individuals may cause themselves to feel hungry simply by smelling food, seeing a type of food, or by looking at the clock. Their brain will tell their body that they are hungry, causing the body to react as though it is a biological motivation (Garrett, 2011). Some individuals might eat out of boredom, while others will eat to experience a pleasant sensation (Franken, 2007). This means that if a food tastes good, individuals are more likely to continue eating. Stress is another area of the cognitive aspect that may motivate one to eat or not to eat. It was found that men will decrease their food intake when under stress, but women will increase their food intake with more sweet foods during times of stress (Franken, 2007).
Where you aware that men and women lose weight differently? Do you know why men are able to lose weight quicker than a women when on the same diet plan? Here is a great video you should watch. http://highered.nbclearn.com/portal/site/HigherEd/browse?cuecard=32121#.U13Lx_0HIzQ.facebook
It explains why men are able to lose weight quicker than a women, and that it is common. As a woman, if you are on a diet plan with your husband or boyfriend, don't grow discouraged if you notice he is losing weight more rapidly than you, must keep pushing through....it's something all of us women go through, just keep your commitment to yourself and stay motivated!