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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
12:09
Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
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Multisensory influence on eating behavior: Hedonic consumption.
María Hernández Ruiz de Eguilaz1, Blanca Martínez de Morentin Aldabe1, Eva Almiron-Roig1
1Unidad Metabólica, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición, Departamento de Ciencias de la Alimentación y Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, España.
Endocrinologia, Diabetes Y Nutricion
|December 12, 2017
Summary
Understanding eating behavior requires considering both body needs and pleasure. This review integrates sensory, cognitive, and environmental factors to explain overeating and prevent obesity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Traditional obesity research focuses on lifestyle changes.
- Eating behavior involves both homeostatic (body needs) and hedonic (pleasure) pathways.
- Numerous factors influence eating behavior, including cognitive, emotional, social, economic, cultural, and sensory aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a multisensory, integrative view of food intake.
- To explore the drivers of overeating.
- To inform effective obesity and metabolic disease prevention strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review integrating homeostatic and non-homeostatic eating behavior research.
- Multisensory analysis of food's role in appetite and satiety.
- Examination of cognitive, emotional, social, economic, cultural, and organoleptic factors.
Main Results:
- Eating behavior is complex, influenced by a wide array of factors beyond simple homeostatic regulation.
- The hedonic pathway significantly impacts appetite and satiety, contributing to overeating.
- A comprehensive understanding requires integrating sensory and psychological dimensions of food consumption.
Conclusions:
- Effective obesity prevention requires addressing the multifaceted nature of eating behavior.
- Interventions should consider both physiological and psychological drivers of food intake.
- A multisensory, integrative approach is crucial for developing targeted public health strategies.
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