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Putting behavior back into feeding behavior: a tribute to George Collier
1Departments of Nutrition and Psychology, Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, 112 Savage Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. dal4@cornell.edu
Appetite
|May 25, 2002
Summary
Human eating behavior is influenced by external factors, not just physiology. Environmental and cognitive cues, rather than internal signals, primarily shape food intake and body weight regulation within a "settling zone".
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Physiology
- Psychology
Background:
- Traditional Set-Point Theory posits biological regulation of body weight.
- Initial research failed to correlate meal size with intermeal intervals in rats, suggesting non-physiological influences on eating behavior.
Observation:
- Humans do not adjust intake based on overfeeding, meal additions/subtractions, or energy density changes.
- Food intake increases proportionally with serving size, food variety, and social dining.
- Intake does not significantly increase after short fasting periods.
Findings:
- Eating behavior is significantly influenced by extra-physiological determinants, including environmental and cognitive factors.
- The "Settling Zone" Theory proposes that body weight is maintained within a biological range, but behavior within this range is environmentally controlled.
Implications:
- Understanding environmental and cognitive influences on eating is crucial for addressing obesity.
- The Settling Zone Theory offers a new framework for body weight regulation research.
- Interventions targeting environmental and cognitive stimuli may help reduce overweight and obesity rates.