Energy balance: Impact of physiology and psychology on food choice and eating behavior

Food choice and eating behavior is influenced by a complex array of physiological and psychological processes. Culture, social surroundings, environmental factors, mood and emotion, and economics have strong influences over our dietary habits. The food choices we make also have a major impact on our health. Not all calories are equal, and our food choices have a direct influence on subsequent appetite and energy balance. For example, diets with a high-energy density can lead to passive overconsumption with little or no mechanism for defense. Moreover, in an increasingly obesogenic environment, it is extremely difficult to maintain energy balance. Further research is required to develop an integrated approach across health and technological disciplines to advance our understanding of the complex issue of food choice and eating behavior.