Eating Behavior and Obesity: Behavioral Economics Strategies for Health Professionals

As a consequence of the rising cost of medical care and drugs, health care providers and public health policy makers are increasingly looking to diet as a means to decrease the incidence of many chronic and age-related diseases. This unique volume is the first to apply behavioral economics to the field of personal nutrition-and show how these insights can be used to create and improve public health nutrition programs and policies. This introductory text examines dietary choices and obesity through a multidisciplinary lens of biological, psychological, and social factors. It integrates the basic concepts of behavioral economics, which blends psychological and economic knowledge to understand human behavior, with public health concerns, to increase understanding of how individual choices can be integrated into preventative strategies. Key features: Examines the rise of obesity and its impact on public health Offers a unique blend of behavioral economics, public health, nutrition, and health promotion policy Looks at the social determinants that impact nutrition choices, including food availability, nutrition education, income, culture and other key factors Includes information on why diets don't work, the lure of eating for pleasure, and why we have cravings Explains how to use behavioral economics to promote healthier food choicesIncludes examples and discussion questions