Diet choices : psychological impacts and influences

This research thesis further contributes to the understanding of both psychological influences on dietary choices and bodyweight status, and the impacts of diet interventions on psychological wellbeing. This thesis is split across three chapters, each outlined below: Chapter One A systematic review of the impacts of Mediterranean diet interventions on psychological wellbeing. Narrative synthesis within indicated that Mediterranean diet interventions may lead to a range of improvements in psychological wellbeing across clinical and non-clinical populations. Particular benefits on hedonic and eudaimonic psychological wellbeing are discussed. Clinical implications and future research directions are outlined. Chapter Two A research study examining the influence of implicit (relative to explicit) attitudes toward 'junk food', on habitual consumption of junk food and subsequent risk of overweight/obesity. Results suggested that implicit attitudes are significant and more powerful predictors of habitual consumption of junk food than explicit attitudes, and might influence risk of overweight/obesity. It is concluded that related interventions to improve public health may benefit from targeting implicit attitudes potentially influencing eating behaviours and habits. Chapter Three A personal reflective account of the process of conducting the research outlined in chapter one and two. A 'pragmatist reflective position' is broadly taken in order to aid learning from the research experiences. Following reflection across a range of topics within, numerous benefits to the role of clinical psychologist are highlighted and discussed.