Which term describes the psychological influences on eating behaviors?

The term that describes the psychological influences on eating behaviors is emotional eating. Emotional eating refers to the practice of consuming food not just for physical hunger but as a response to emotions. When individuals experience stress, sadness, happiness, or boredom, they may turn to food for comfort or as a coping mechanism. This behavior is influenced by psychological factors rather than just physiological signals of hunger.

In contrast, physiological needs pertain to the body's basic requirements for survival like hunger and thirst. Hunger signaling involves the body’s biological cues that indicate the need for food, which are primarily physical responses rather than emotional ones. Metabolic function refers to the processes by which the body converts food into energy and is concerned with the physiological aspects of digestion and nutrient use, again focusing more on the body's needs rather than psychological influences. Thus, emotional eating stands out as the term that specifically encompasses the psychological dimensions influencing eating behaviors.