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Dietary behavior: an interdisciplinary conceptual analysis and taxonomy
The terminology surrounding dietary behavior needs to be more consistent across various fields of study, creating obstacles in communication and cross-disciplinary comparison, thus hindering the advancement of scientific knowledge in this area. Here, Marijn Stok et al. (2018) highlight the development of an interdisciplinary taxonomy by presenting a conceptual analysis of the broad concept of “dietary behavior.” The authors adopted a four-phase approach involving multiple methods. Seventy-six scholars participating in an international research project on dietary behavior determinants contributed to the process. Through an online mind-mapping procedure, scholars provided input, which was then structured, condensed, and categorized into a concise taxonomy. The resulting taxonomy was presented to all scholars, extensively discussed, and refined through a second revision round among a core working group. The initial mind mapping yielded 145 distinct entries, which were subsequently streamlined into a final taxonomy comprising 34 terms organized under three primary categories: Food Choice, Eating Behavior, and Dietary Intake/Nutrition. In a live discussion session involving 50 scholars, the taxonomy accurately reflected their input and served as a valuable starting point for interdisciplinary collaboration and understanding. The developed taxonomy serves as a tool to foster comprehension and collaboration among diverse disciplines studying dietary behavior, potentially aiding in addressing the complex public health challenges in this field. It should be viewed as a dynamic framework open to further expansion and refinement as additional expertise is contributed. [NPID: Taxonomy, ontology, cumulative science, dietary intake, diet, food choice, nutrition, eating behavior]
Year: 2018
