SPAGHETTI JUNCTION: MULTILEVEL ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE ON FOOD CHOICES

Interesting theoretical and empirical work is presented to illustrate how researchers might frame questions using study designs that conjoin two or more levels of influence on food choices. Research of Blundell and of Ebbeling exemplify theory and data that span multiple levels of inquiry by examining interactions between the individual and the environment. A “hazardous” food environment in which energy dense foods in large portion sizes are easily available increase the risk of overeating and excess weight gain, and this risk is more pronounced among susceptible individuals.

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