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Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

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A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

Brain’s Reward System

The brain’s reward system, involving regions like the nucleus accumbens (NAc), regulates pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement. It’s tied to behaviors seeking rewards and is linked to dopamine release, reinforcing pleasurable actions.

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, or excessive exercise, to prevent weight gain. This disorder is associated with a preoccupation with body shape and weight and can lead to severe physical and psychological complications, including electrolyte imbalances and gastrointestinal issues.

C-Reactive Protein

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. It is commonly used as a biomarker to assess levels of systemic inflammation in the body, with elevated CRP levels indicating an inflammatory response.

Cafeteria Diet

A diet used in animal research that includes human foods high in palatability, including sugar, salt, spices, and contents (e.g., biscuits, wafers, condensed milk, sausages, and soft drinks) that have consistently been shown to increase body weight. This Cafeteria Diet is adapted from a human diet known as the “Western Diet” and mimics modern patterns of human food consumption (de Macedo, 2016). Used in research employing ‘ad libitum’ conditions.

Calorie Restriction

Calorie restriction refers to the practice of reducing calorie intake while still maintaining essential nutrient intake for optimal health. This dietary approach involves consuming fewer calories than what is typically recommended for weight maintenance or daily energy expenditure.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are organic compounds (i.e., carbon-based compounds) consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. They serve as a primary source of energy for living organisms. Carbohydrates can be simple sugars like glucose and fructose and complex molecules like starch and fiber in foods such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Causality Orientation Theory

One of the mini-theories that are part of the Self-determination theory. It proposes that there are three main ways in which a person can motivate oneself called causality orientations. People differ in how much they apply each of these orientations. Causality orientations proposed by this mini theory are autonomous (how much one makes decisions according to one’s own interests and values), controlled (how much one makes decisions based on external demands and controls) and impersonal (how much a person feels incompetent and helpless) causality orientations.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The central nervous system (CNS) is the body’s command center, consisting of the brain and spinal cord. It receives, processes, transfers information, and regulates all bodily functions (Farley et al., 2014).

Cephalic Phase Responses (CRPs)

Innate and learned physiological reactions to sensory signals that prepare the gastrointestinal tract for the optimal processing of ingested foods (Smeets, 2010).

Cerebral Cortex

The outermost convoluted surface layer of the brain, the primary function of which is to coordinate sensory and motor information.

Editorial Board

Executive and Associate Editors

Co-Principal Editors:
Ephi Morphew-Lu
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Shereen Behairy
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Associate Editors: Nabila Pervaiz
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Technical Support: Tahir Yasin
The Center for Nutritional Psychology

Subject Editors

Psychology: Vladimir Hedrih
University of Niš, Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Psychology
Nutrition and Dietetics: Eileen Santana
The Center for Nutritional Psychology
Nutritional Immunology: Emilia Vassiloupolou
Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece and Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy