Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

SCFAs such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate are the most common microbial metabolites produced in the large intestine's digestion of complex carbohydrates (dietary fibers). SCFAs regulate gut health by promoting…

Signaling molecules carry information (messages) from one cell to adjacent cells within the body. Signaling molecules vary in size, shape, structure, and function. For instance, in the case of MGBA,…

Social disparities refer to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges within a society. These disparities can be based on factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, or education…

The tendency for people to eat more when eating in groups than when eating alone (Herman, 2015).

Social factors encompass the environmental and societal influences that shape individual health and well-being, such as socioeconomic status, education, cultural beliefs, social networks, and relationship quality. These factors profoundly impact…

Social learning theory was developed in the 1960s by psychologist Albert Bandura. It posits that people learn new behaviors, skills, and attitudes by observing others. This theory suggests that learning…

The adjustments in food intake that people make in response to those they are eating with (Vartanian et al., 2015).

Societal norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that guide behavior within a society or a specific group. These norms dictate what is considered acceptable or unacceptable in terms of…

Socioeconomic factors are the social and economic influences that shape an individual's or a community's status in society. These factors include income, education, occupation, social class, and other elements that…

The somatic nervous system is a component of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) that controls voluntary movements and transmits sensory information from the body to the central nervous system. It…