Food Choice and Nutrition: A Social Psychological Perspective

Food Choice and Nutrition : A Social Psychological Perspective

This Special Issue identifies three primary themes regarding food choice and nutrition from a social psychological perspective: (1) social and environmental influences on food choice; (2) psychological influences on eating behavior; and (3) eating behavior profiling. Research on social and environmental influences suggests that future studies should focus on promoting positive food choices rather than merely reducing negative ones. Effective strategies include enhancing food label comprehension and improving the marketing of healthy food through better accessibility, availability, and presentation. The psychological influences examined reveal that intentions, perceived behavioral control, and self-efficacy are significant predictors of healthy eating habits. Therefore, interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating should focus on lowering barriers and enhancing individuals’ confidence in their ability to maintain a nutritious diet. The final theme pertains to the categorization of individuals based on their eating behaviors, with certain profiles exhibiting a higher tendency toward the consumption of fast foods and convenience meals, alongside increased disinhibition regarding food cravings. The article advocates for the adoption of multi-level intervention strategies, as outlined in the Ecological Model of Behavior Change, which incorporates psychological, social, and environmental factors to effectively engage individuals prone to unhealthy eating patterns. [NPID: Behavior, self-efficacy, social-psychological, confidence]

Year: 2015

Reference: Hardcastle, S. J., Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., & Chatzisarantis, N. L. D. (2015). Food Choice and Nutrition: A Social Psychological Perspective. Nutrients, 7(10), 8712-8715. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu7105424

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