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Eating behaviour

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter first examines what constitutes a healthy diet,

the links between diet and health and who does and does not

eat healthily. Three main psychological perspectives which

have been used to study food intake are then described. First,

the chapter describes developmental models of eating

behaviour with their focus on exposure, social learning and

associative learning. Second, it examines cognitive theories

with their emphasis on motivation and social cognition

models. Third, it explores the emphasis on weight concern

and the role of body dissatisfaction and restrained eating.

This chapter covers:

➧ What is a healthy diet?

➧ How does diet influence health?

➧ Who eats a healthy diet?

➧ Developmental models of eating behaviour

➧ Cognitive models of eating behaviour

➧ Weight concern and the role of body dissatisfaction and dieting

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