Tag: Social influences on eating

According to research published in the journal *Appetite*, individuals often eat more when dining with friends or family compared to eating alone, a phenomenon known as social facilitation. This social setting is just one of many ways our external world profoundly impacts our dietary choices and consumption patterns. This article explores two different environmental influences on our eating behaviors: the social environment and the physical food environment.

Research consistently shows that social influences significantly impact eating behavior, with one study of children aged 5 to 12 finding that most reported peer influence affected their dietary choices. From the family dinner table to the school cafeteria, the people in our lives play a crucial role in shaping our food preferences and habits from a young age. This deep dive explores how do family and peers influence food choices across different life stages and offers strategies for positive change.