A Perspective on Eating Behaviors from the Field of Judgment and Decision Making

Abstract

Research implications concerning ways to improve eating behaviors are considered.

Decision Making in Eating Behavior: Interacting Perspectives from the Individual, Family, and Environment: An Introduction

“…Dr. Peters [12] provides an analysis of eating behavior from the perspective of the field of judgment and decision making and reminds investigators that people's preferences are frequently constructed "on the spot" and thus, consistent with the perspectives offered by several other authors, sensitive to features of the environment in which people make food decisions. Finally, Dr. Johnson-Askew, Ms. Fisher, and Dr. Yaroch [13] provide a synthesis of the issues discussed and outline research recommendations that emerged during the course of the meeting.…”

Decision Making in Eating Behavior: State of the Science and Recommendations for Future Research

“…In the end, although environmental and policy-level factors will influence what a person eats, the "individual" eating a particular food is making the final decision of what to consume or not consume. Dr. Ellen Peters [28] said this best when during the meeting she quoted well-known learning theorist Hobart Mower by stating "To understand or predict what a rat will learn to do in a maze, one has to know both the rat and the maze." [22].…”

Active engagement in a web-based tutorial to prevent obesity grounded in Fuzzy-Trace Theory predicts higher knowledge and gist comprehension

“…An obesity intervention or prevention program might, for example provide instruction on how to read nutrition labels or how to calculate the amount of calories consumed each day. However, emphasizing the learning of verbatim facts is often insufficient to change either beliefs or behaviors (Brust-Renck, Royer, & Reyna, 2013; Peters, 2009; Reyna & Farley, 2006). A common result of such approaches is that behavior change is demonstrated in the short term, but outcomes are either not followed over the long term or effects dissipate over time (e.g., Cooper et al, 2010).…”