Modeling eating behaviors: the role of environment and positive food association learning via a \textit{Ratatouille} effect

DOI10.3934/MBE.2016020zbMATH Open1348.91241arXiv1601.03419OpenAlexW2963176443WikidataQ47654525 ScholiaQ47654525MaRDI QIDQ326536FDOQ326536

Authors: Anarina L. Murillo, M. Safan, Carlos Castillo-Chavez, Elizabeth D. Capaldi Phillips, Devina Wadhera 

Publication date: 12 October 2016

Published in: Mathematical Biosciences and Engineering (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Eating behaviors among a large population of children are studied as a dynamic process driven by nonlinear interactions in the sociocultural school environment. The impact of food association learning on diet dynamics, inspired by a pilot study conducted among Arizona children in Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grades, is used to build simple population-level learning models. Qualitatively, mathematical studies are used to highlight the possible ramifications of instruction, learning in nutrition, and health at the community level. Model results suggest that nutrition education programs at the population-level have minimal impact on improving eating behaviors, findings that agree with prior field studies. Hence, the incorporation of food association learning may be a better strategy for creating resilient communities of healthy and non-healthy eaters. A extit{Ratatouille} effect can be observed when food association learners become food preference learners, a potential sustainable behavioral change, which in turn, may impact the overall distribution of healthy eaters. In short, this work evaluates the effectiveness of population-level intervention strategies and the importance of institutionalizing nutrition programs that factor in economical, social, cultural, and environmental elements that mesh well with the norms and values in the community.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1601.03419

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zbMATH Keywords

deterministic modeleating behaviorschool nutrition education

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Memory and learning in psychology (91E40) Social and behavioral sciences: general topics (91C99)

Cites Work

• The minimum effort required to eradicate infections in models with backward bifurcation
• Modeling dynamics of infant obesity in the region of Valencia, Spain

Cited In (2)

• Building uncertainty-aware mathematical models based on evidence from datasets using grammatical evolution optimization techniques: the case of the obesity dynamics
• A mathematical model of food intake

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