Eating Behaviour

Introduction: Widely held assumptions and methods

The energy demands of the brain - Central mechanisms of eating

Storage and digestion - Peripheral mechanisms of eating

Learning about food – Developmental aspects of eating behaviour

Choosing between foods - Cognitive aspects of eating behaviour

The effect of others - Social aspects of eating behaviour

Getting inside people's heads: Restraint, emotional eating, disinhibition and their combined effects

Dealing with obesity - Dieting and drugs

When eating behaviour goes wrong - Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and eating disorders not otherwise specified

Tying up loose ends - Towards a combined theory in eating behaviour

Appendix One: The neurochemistry of appetite regulation
Appendix Two: The hormonal control of appetite regulation
References
Index

This text provides readers with a concise introduction to the psychology of eating focussing on the psychological and biological processes that underlie eating behaviour. While insights into eating behaviour that has gone wrong, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, are offered, the primary focus is on 'normal' eating behaviour. Eating Behaviour highlights the way that the brain and body control eating, the environmental factors that infiltrate the consciousness to make us think it is time to eat, and childhood, to unravel how eating behaviour develops within the individual.

The text covers the subject of eating and food related behaviour from the five main areas of psychology, developmental, cognitive, social, biological, and psychopathological perspectives. Written in a lively, accessible style, it is designed to give readers a basic understanding of the topic and a platform from which to expand their knowledge of this area.

This book is essential reading for psychology and health psychology students, those taking eating behaviour modules, and eating behaviour and disorders courses. It is also valuable reading for nutritionists, dietitians, food scientists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and medical students.