Warm-Up Activity 3.1
Go to the Northcentral University Library and view the Search Like an Expert tutorial, linked in this week’s resources (the tutorial is located in the Guides and Quizzes section of the library’s website). Using the skills you learned in this tutorial, conduct a library search for five articles from peer-reviewed journals published in the past five years on the nutrient that you have chosen to investigate.

Main Task
Begin by selecting one of the theories below:
•Health Belief Model
•Theory of planned behavior
•Socio-Ecological Model******* My choice
•The Big Brain Theory

Explain briefly in your own words and using research you have located for this assignment, how your selected theory addresses health behaviors.

Next, select either overeating or under eating as an eating behavior, and discuss the possible physical and mental health implications this eating habit may present to the individual.

Explain how your selected theory might be used to address behavior changes related to either overeating or undereating.

Length: 3-5 pages, excluding references

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Upload your assignment using the Upload Assignment button below.

Week Introduction:

Theoretical perspectives on behavioral nutrition

This week, we will explore various theoretical perspectives on nutrition and health-related behavior change. One such perspective is the Socio-Ecological Model that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) uses as a framework for its prevention efforts. It draws from the work of psychologist Uri Bronfenbrenner regarding the ecological, or environmental, framework explaining human development. The socio-ecological model is premised on the relationship between the individual and the environment. The environment consists of various layers: interpersonal (families, friends, and other social networks); organizations, institutions, and community; and public policy.

From a health psychology perspective, while individuals hold some responsibility for developing and maintaining healthy habits, their behaviors often are influenced by environmental factors out of their control. Often, we also may see barriers to healthy behaviors shared among communities, particularly when we look at cultural and diversity issues. For example, malnutrition (nutrient deficient diets) as well as undernutrition (inadequate dietary intake regardless of nutrient levels) affect physiological processes and can lead to serious mental health issues such as anorexia nervosa (Shetty, 2006). Clearly, the most effective prevention efforts involve all levels within the socioeconomic model.

Other important theoretical models to be considered when looking at barriers to healthy behaviors include the Health Belief Model, theory of planned behavior, and the Big Brain theory (Granger & Lynch, 2009). The Health Belief Model, developed in the 1950s by the US Public Health Service, suggests that our beliefs about our health affect our behaviors toward addressing our health needs. The theory of planned behavior attempts to explain why people may act in a certain way at a certain time. The Big Brain theory concerns the evolution of the human brain and how that has affected our needs for different nutrients to maximize brain processes.

Knowledge of these theoretical perspectives will help you understand the basis for current research and are a first step used in for explanation of the rationale behind any interventions which should result in a positive behavioral change; in this case nutritional behavior change.

Be sure to review this week’s resources carefully. You will be expected to apply the information from these resources when you prepare your assignments.

Spotlight on Skills: APA Form and Style

Review APA form and style rules.
•To become familiar with APA form and style, view the tutorial called Basics of APA Style, located under your weekly resources.
•If you have a question about using APA form and style that you cannot resolve by looking in the manual, it is possible that other people have questions on this same issue. Bookmark the list of APA’s FAQ called Frequently Asked Questions about APA Style, located under your weekly resources.

Reference
Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.) The Social-Ecological Model: A framework for prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/overview/social-ecologicalmodel.html

Lynch, G., & Granger, R. (2009). Big brain: The origins and future of human intelligence (1st ed.). New York: St. Martin’s Griffin.

Shetty, P. (2006). Undernutrition: Malnutrition and undernutrition. Medicine, 34(Nutrition), 524-529. doi:10.1053/j.mpmed.2006.09.014

Books & Resources:
Document/Other

American Psychological Association. (2015). Frequently asked questions about APA style. http://www.apastyle.org/learn/faqs/index.aspx
Instruction:Review webpage
American Psychological Association. (2015). The basics of APA style [Tutorial]. http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx
Instruction:Review tutorial
Northcentral University. (n.d.) Search like an expert tutorial [Video file]. http://library.ncu.edu/public_images/elrc/2015/videos/searchlikeanexpertnew/searchlikeanexpertnew.htm
Instruction:Review tutorial

Article/Journal

Davis, J. L., Buchanan, K. L., & Lee Green, B. (2013). Racial/ethnic differences in cancer prevention beliefs: Applying the Health Belief Model framework. http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=88912456&site=eds-live
Instruction:Read article
Dekker, J. (2008). Theories in behavioral medicine. http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c8h&AN=2009825625&site=eds-live
Instruction:Read article
Dutta, K., & Singh, S. (2014). Applying the theory of planned behavior to understand Indian housewives’ purchase behavior towards healthy food brands. http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=100310790&site=eds-live
Instruction:Read article
Gómez-Pinilla, F. (2008). Brain foods: The effects of nutrients on brain function. http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=18568016&site=ehost-live
Instruction:Read article
Kellou, N., Sandalinas, F., Copin, N., & Simon, C. (2014). Prevention of unhealthy weight in children by promoting physical activity using a socio-ecological approach: What can we learn from intervention studies? http://www.sciencedirect.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/science/article/pii/S1262363614000299
Instruction:Read article
Kuipers, R. S., Joordens, J. A., & Muskiet, F. J. (2012). A multidisciplinary reconstruction of Palaeolithic nutrition that holds promise for the prevention and treatment of diseases of civilisation. http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/1041828377/711D89955EF34CD1PQ/6?accountid=28180
Instruction:Read article