The Psychology of Eating: From Healthy to Disordered Behavior

286 An Integrated Model of Diet

Conclusion

This book has provided a detailed map of the vast literature on diet. It
has described and analyzed the literature from a range of disciplines using
a range of methodologies which focuses on different aspects of eating behav-
ior. Diet can be understood on a continuum from healthy eating through
weight concern to obesity and eating disorders. This spectrum of diet reflects
changes in terms of the clinical significance of the problem. It also reflects
an approach to diet which increasingly places eating behavior within its
social context.
Although the literatures, studies, and theories on diet are often explored
by different researchers and published in different outlets, many themes
and constructs can be seen to permeate this literature. On analysis, common
themes emerge relating to gender, conflict, control, biology, communication,

co

ntr

ol conf

lic

t

communication

cognitions

The individual

gender

biology

the family

social norms

diet

diet diet

diet

The social context

Figure 12.2 An integrated model of diet.