The course explores issues in our relationship with food. The focus will be on the psychology of appetite control and food preferences. Discussion of flavour perception and hedonics will lead to evaluation of concepts such as food craving and addiction. Examination of non-nutritive effects of foods (including nutriceuticals) links food to mood and cognition. Finally, we explore the rise of obesity and disordered eating from a psychological perspective.
Topics covered:

• Models of appetite control
• Models of food preferences
• Food cravings and food addiction
• Effects of food on mood and cognition
• Understanding obesity
• Understanding disordered eating

On completion of this module, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the factors affecting eating behaviour by synthesising arguments based on their own knowledge of the topic.
• Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge on the topic of eating behaviour.
• Be able to evaluate and discuss the application of findings from research in the presence of others using standard oral reporting conventions.
• Synthesise well-reasoned, in depth, arguments on a topical issue in the psychology of appetite based on the academic literature.
• Understand recent developments in controls of appetite and their relevance to obesity and disordered eating.
• Be able to apply concepts from drug addiction to understanding our relationship with food.
• Be able to discuss and evaluate non-nutritive effects of food on mood and cognition.
• Develop group work and critical evaluation skills.