Psychological Perspectives in Dietetics: Enhancing Healthy Eating Habits – A Clinical Review

Abstract

Abstract Diet influences man’s lives in aspects of physic, mental, and emotional wellness. Healthy nutrition will go a long way in eliminating chronic diseases such as heart ailments and diabetes, whereas unhealthy food intake defined by improper diets will trigger diseases such as malnutrition and obesity. Thus, nutrition is indispensable and, together with activity, rest, stress management, and abstinence from risky behaviors, is one of the key elements for health. As a science, dietetics focuses on the relationship of diet and health through making good food choices, using psychological principles aimed at improving the eating behaviors and patterns. Stress and mood are two of the most notable psychological aspects that are likely to affect the dietary behavior of the person; therefore, psychological theories are crucial in shaping dietetics. The psychological techniques that can be used to encourage people to adopt healthy eating habits include positive psychology interventions, mindfulness techniques, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The theory that will be discussed in detail is Alber Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory which focuses on a reciprocal process of influences of behavior. The social learning behavior theory postulates that people acquire proper eating habits by watching and imitating the behaviors of other people. Prochaska and DiClemente’s Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change explains how diets might influence behavior change. According to Deci and Ryan, Self-Determination Theory is essential in changing behavior with high emphasis on motivation and autonomy and hence essential in encouraging dietary compliance. Meditation therapy is used in dietetics to enhance the eating habits and general health. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used for eliminating or changing negative perceptions and patterns of behavior with regard to eating, especially in cases of eating disorders. Positive psychology strategies aim to enhance people’s well-being and promote dietary compliance. In conclusion, it can be stated that various aspects of psychology are embodied in the dietetics that contribute to the change of people’s eating habits and healthy living. Interventions increasing dietary compliance which are based on the theories are the Social Cognitive Theory, The Theory of Planned Behavior, Self-Determination Theory, and positive psychology. Knowledge and application of these psychological theories in dietetics gives health benefits to those who embraces the dietetics intervention.