Green Spaces
Green spaces refer to areas within urban or rural environments that are primarily covered by vegetation, such as parks, gardens, forests, and natural reserves. These spaces provide numerous environmental, social,…
Explore clear, research-informed definitions of key concepts connecting nutrition, mental health, behavior, and psychological well-being.
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Nutritional psychology examines how dietary patterns, nutrients, food-related behaviors, and psychological factors interact with mental health and well-being. Launched by the Center for Nutritional Psychology in 2024, the Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology defines the terms, mechanisms, processes, and research areas shaping this growing field.
Created for students, educators, researchers, healthcare professionals, and curious readers, the ENP includes hundreds of clear, research-informed entries. Content is written and regularly updated by contributors across relevant scientific disciplines, with new entries and major revisions reviewed by the CNP Encyclopedia Editorial Board before publication.
The encyclopedia helps readers understand terminology and foundational concepts. For deeper exploration of the studies behind those concepts, visit the Nutritional Psychology Research Library .
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Green spaces refer to areas within urban or rural environments that are primarily covered by vegetation, such as parks, gardens, forests, and natural reserves. These spaces provide numerous environmental, social,…
A short-hand way of referring to the gastrointestinal system. In this course, this term most commonly refers to the large intestine and the microbiota inhabiting it.
Gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract. It plays a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and mental health. A diverse and…
Gut microbiota composition refers to the specific types and proportions of microorganisms that comprise the community in the gut. The composition can vary from person to person, and it plays…
Gut microbiota diversity refers to the variety of different microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, present in the gastrointestinal tract. A diverse gut microbiota typically includes a wide…
The gut lumen is the hollow interior space inside the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), starting from the mouth and extending to the anus. It is the region of the GI tract…
Gut peptides are small protein-like molecules released by the gut and are structurally composed of 36 amino acids. Gut peptides exert biological effects on various organs, including the brain and…
Gut-associated lymphoid tissues are the gut's largest mass of lymphoid tissues and immune cells (such as B and T-cells, neutrophils, mast cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells). GALT is critical in…
Habit is learned behavior acquired through repetition, characterized by automatic and routine actions. These behaviors become ingrained in daily life, shaping individuals' routines and responses to specific cues or contexts.
Habit formation is the process by which behaviors become automatic through consistent repetition. It involves establishing a routine or pattern that, over time, becomes ingrained in one's daily life.
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