Encyclopedia of Nutritional Psychology

Dietary acculturation is the process by which individuals or groups from one culture come into contact with and adopt elements of another culture specifically related to diet. This exchange can…

A dietary pattern describes the overall combination, variety, proportions, and habitual frequency of foods and beverages consumed over time. This approach includes patterns such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets rather than focusing on isolated nutrients.

The perception of internal bodily states and sensations we experience in relation to dietary intake (both short- and long-term).

The digestive system refers to the network of organs that breaks down food, absorbs nutrients and water, and eliminates waste. It comprises the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine,…

Disordered eating describes irregular or harmful eating patterns that fall short of diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Examples include dieting, compulsive eating, restrictive eating, and inflexible or irregular meal patterns.

Action in which gut peptides exert influence beyond the gut, such as on the brain, liver, pancreas, and fatty tissues, by traveling through the blood circulation and binding on the…

Distress is a negative stress response to situations perceived as threatening, harmful, or overwhelming. It may contribute to anxiety, discomfort, reduced well-being, and adverse effects on physical and mental health.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that functions in various brain pathways, contributing to reward, motivation, and motor control. It plays a key role in the brain's reward system, reinforcing behaviors associated…

Dysbiosis refers to a disruption in the composition, diversity, and function of the microbial communities that inhabit the human body — most notably the gut microbiota — typically marked by…

Early-life stress (ELS) refers to adverse experiences or challenging conditions that an individual encounters during their early developmental years, typically in childhood. These stressors can manifest in various forms, such…