Social environment can function as an external eating cue. Which option best describes this?

• A. Time of Day
• B. Presence of Others Eating
• C. Hunger Pangs
• D. Blood Glucose Level

Answer: (B)

Social cues from others can drive eating behavior even when you don’t feel hungry. Seeing people around you eat creates a social context that signals eating is normal or expected, prompting you to join in. This is an external cue because it comes from the environment and other people’s actions rather than your own physical needs.

Time of day can shape when you expect to eat, but it’s not inherently about what others are doing. Hunger pangs are internal sensations signaling energy deficit, not a social signal. Blood glucose level reflects physiological energy status inside you, not the social environment.

So, the presence of others eating best captures how the social environment can cue eating behavior.