Social, Psychological, Philosophical, and Physical Nutrition




Social, Psychological, Philosophical, and Physical Nutrition


On the level of food we can allow it to consume our lives in more than just gaining weight. It is also intertwined with us socially, psychologically, philosophically, and physically. “Food consumption is incontrovertibly linked with public health outcomes ranging from obesity to cardiovascular disease and diabetes." (Pachucki, Jacques, & Christakis,2011) Socially when we sit down with others to enjoy a meal we can be influenced by the choices others make. How many times have we sat at the dinner table when we are out to eat, and watch what others have, and say “hey I want that?” I would have to say a lot. Even their is not a lot of research to prove the relationship between patterns of food consumption and human connectedness does not mean that it does not exist.
According to Pachucki, et.al they say that when entering into a new relationship you tend to ingest more fruits and vegetables and consuming less take-out foods, but that was the reverse for me seven years ago. I was on a health kick and lost 60 pounds, but when I starting dating again we ate out more and I gained at least half of that back. “Couples shape one another's choices, although female partners tend to have more influence over male choices.” (Pachucki, Jacques, & Christakis,2011) I do recall being talked into a lot of unhealthy choices by my now ex, and not me doing the coercing. Socially you allow what others are eating dictate what you should eat. I have been in many situations where I felt it necessary to eat what my friends were eating even though I know it was not healthy for me, but because I wanted to fit into the atmosphere and the moment I succumbed to the pressure.
Psychologically when we see food it triggers a response in us that gives us an amount of pleasure and sets off a craving in us that makes us want that particular item at that moment. I use to be overweight I use to let food on television trigger my reasons for eating certain things I went to weight watchers and I learned how to eat the correct way. In these situations you have to become a mindful eater. “It allows individuals to experience their external and internal environment while also slowing the pace of food consumption, increasing the chances of satiety before an excess of calories have been consumed.” (Hendrickson & Rasmussen,2017) Research shows that not paying attention to what you eat and how much of it you consume can lead to obesity, chronic pain, diabetes, etc. but only after a few hours of mindfulness the participants they were able to decrease their BMI, psychological distress, and  lowered obesity-related stigma.
When you think in terms of philosophy: “philosophy of nutrition is part of the philosophy of health.” (Meyer-Abich,2005) “The purpose of a philosophy is to distinguish right from wrong.” (Achterberg & Trenkner, 1990) It is thought and often said that human behaviors , such as our diets are influenced by external forces. We can allow others to have an affect on what we may or may not eat. In a good way the external forces could be nurses, nutritionist, or physical health worker. They can alter and determine how much you or should be eating, and for some of us that is awesome. Physically we allow food to affect us in either good or bad ways. A lot of us are visual eaters, and we react accordingly, and we can either over indulge which would have us to be physically unhealthy, and physically unfit.
In my culture we are known to eat foods high in salt, sugar, more fried and less baked or broiled foods. We tend to load our vegetables down with sugar as to make them taste better sweet, but defeating the purpose of eating healthy, and in some culture they consume foods high in starches, and foods that are smothered in creams and gravies.These choices that are being made is resulting from learned behaviors that have been passed down through generations. In order for that to change they must do their research and start off early in life eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, etc.


Achterberg, C., & Trenkner, L. L. (1990). Developing a working philosophy of nutrition education. Journal of Nutrition Education, 22(4), 189-193.
Hendrickson, K. L., & Rasmussen, E. B. (2017). Mindful eating reduces impulsive food choice in adolescents and adults. Health Psychology, 36(3), 226-235. doi:10.1037/hea0000440
Meyer-Abich, K. M. (2005). Human health in nature–towards a holistic philosophy of nutrition. Public Health Nutrition, 8(6a), 738-742.

Pachucki, M. A., Jacques, P. F., & Christakis, N. A. (2011). Social Network Concordance in Food Choice Among Spouses, Friends, and Siblings. American Journal Of Public Health, 101(11), 2170-2177. doi:10. 2105/AJPH.2011.300282

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