Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition

Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition 3(2+1)

Lesson 2:Factors influencing food intake and food habits

Introduction

The intake of food depends on complex interrelated body signals, environmental factors, and behavioural influences. Food habits are derived from the earliest experiences in life and are influenced by sensory, aesthetic, economic, geographic, social, and cultural factors. Health professionals should be aware of the factors influencing food intake and food habits so that they can adjust the counselling to the client’s individual values and behaviour.

Intake of food depends on

• Complex inter related body signals
• Environmental factors
• Behavioural influences