NUTRITION PSYCHOLOGY
Generally, nutrition is looked upon from a “food” point of view, how food can decrease or increase weight, its effect on the body in different medical conditions and so on. It is relatively new to look at it from a psychological aspect. Nutrition psychology by deinition
is the science of how nutrients affect mood and behaviour. This ield deals
with topics like cognition, dietary habits and even clinical disorders and their relation to nutrition. It shows that how we feel psychologically has a great effect on our food consumption patterns and vice versa, the nutritional intake can in fact affect the psychological state of a consumer.
It has been proven by research that how one perceives their body image affects the way they eat. This is seen in cases of anorexia or bulimia nervosa where the person’s body, in their mind, is not in the desired form, which results in adverse binge eating and purging habits, which of course can lead to medical issues. Also, in many cases, stress, anxiety and depression are known to be appetite enhancers and suppressors. Depending on the person, these psychological conditions can cause some people to eat excessively, as it is believed that this eating habit provides them with the serotonin needed to eliminate the undesired feeling of distress. On the contrary, some people lose their appetite and are unable to eat or enjoy food. Both habits have adverse nutritional effects on the body, whether it be
obesity or severe weight loss and the diseases and conditions that can arise with them.
Moreover, our nutritional habits have a great impact on our cognition, exactly as they do on our physiological and physical state. Macro and micro nutrients that we consume, speciically vitamins and minerals, are essential for neurological health and the eficiency
of the neurotransmitters. The cause of some cognitive disorders, like dementia for example, are considered to be nutritionally related and in many cases, there is a nutritional approach in the treatment plan, from food and supplements as well. Additionally, we can also see the effect of nutrition on the cognitive health when it comes to children. It is known that the
consumption of certain carbohydrate-illed foods, especially ones illed with sugar, can cause attention deicit in young children
making them hyperactive and less focused academically.
The great effect psychology has on our nutrition can be seen in cases as simple as attempting to lose weight. Slight motivation and mind convincing can go a long way in causing a person to lose weight, along with a healthy diet and exercise. To have the brain set on reaching a speciic goal
gives the body signals to react towards the dietary and physical changes that are being made. Also, prior to bariatric surgeries, patients are advised to go through psychological and nutritional assessments, as they have an impact on the outcome of the operation and the process of weight loss post-surgery.
Nutrition psychology is a really diverse, wide and interrelated topic in the ield of nutrition. As mentioned previously, even a small alteration in our diet has its psychological consequences and the slightest change of cognitive and psychological behaviour can relect on our dietary habits. Therefore, the aspect of psychology cannot be denied in order to have a complete approach to any nutrition related matter.