Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

The "fight or flight" response is a physiological reaction that prepares the body to confront a threat (fight) or escape from it (flight). It is triggered by the sympathetic nervous…

Fight-Flight-or-Freeze System or FFFS is one of the three systems regulating human behavior proposed by Gray’s reinforcement sensitivity theory. The functioning of the FFFS determines how prone a person is…

Food addiction refers to a condition where individuals exhibit compulsive behaviors, cravings, and loss of control around food consumption, similar to patterns observed in substance addiction. It involves a complex…

Food affordability refers to the extent to which individuals or households can financially afford to purchase an adequate and nutritious diet within their budget constraints. It focuses specifically on whether…

A conditioned response to food is frequently accompanied by increased salivation, physiological arousal, and neural activity in brain regions such as the ventral striatum (VS). This response is conditioned through…

Food cues refer to various sensory stimuli or environmental signals that influence an individual's perception, desire, and food consumption. These cues can include visual, olfactory, gustatory, and even auditory signals…

Food culture refers to the way food is grown, prepared, shared, and consumed, along with the customs that influence these activities.

Food deserts are areas, typically in urban or rural settings, where access to affordable, nutritious food is limited or nonexistent. People living in food deserts may have difficulty obtaining fresh,…

A Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) is a dietary assessment tool that asks people how often they eat specific foods and beverages over a set period, such as the past month…

Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food. It is linked to poor diet quality, nutrient deficiencies, and an increased risk of stress, anxiety, depression, and other adverse physical and mental health outcomes.