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Course Overview

The Fifth course in the Five-course Introduction NP 100 Series Certificate in Nutritional Psychology

This second course in the NP 150 two-course series explores the major mechanisms connecting psychology with nutrition. It illuminates how psychological, behavioral, and environmental processes shape our diet-related thoughts, feelings, choices, and behaviors.

We begin with Module 5, where we learn about Psychoneuroimmunology. We examine how stress affects the nervous and immune systems through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). This provides a front-row seat to understanding the bidirectional relationship between stress, immune responses, and dietary patterns that influence psychological processes and cognitive function, particularly under stress. 

Module 6 shifts to the psychological and behavioral mechanisms influencing dietary habits, including emotional eating, cognitive distortions, body image, and self-esteem. We explore habit formation, food preferences, and the brain’s reward system and provide insight into how these mechanisms, including food addiction and food noise, shape dietary intake behavior. 

Module 7 broadens the scope by examining the social and environmental mechanisms influencing DMHR, such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, social support systems, food insecurity, and urbanization. This course offers a comprehensive view of how internal and external factors influence the complex relationship between diet and psychological health.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand how these diverse mechanisms collectively contribute to the diet-mental health continuum, equipping you with a holistic, evidence-based view of the interplay between what we eat and how we feel.

This second course in the NP 150 two-course series explores the major mechanisms connecting psychology with nutrition. It illuminates how psychological, behavioral, and environmental processes shape our diet-related thoughts, feelings, choices, and behaviors.

We begin with Module 5, where we learn about Psychoneuroimmunology. We examine how stress affects the nervous and immune systems through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). This provides a front-row seat to understanding the bidirectional relationship between stress, immune responses, and dietary patterns that influence psychological processes and cognitive function, particularly under stress. 

Module 6 shifts to the psychological and behavioral mechanisms influencing dietary habits, including emotional eating, cognitive distortions, body image, and self-esteem. We explore habit formation, food preferences, and the brain’s reward system and provide insight into how these mechanisms, including food addiction and food noise, shape dietary intake behavior. 

Module 7 broadens the scope by examining the social and environmental mechanisms influencing DMHR, such as socioeconomic disparities, cultural norms, social support systems, food insecurity, and urbanization. This course offers a comprehensive view of how internal and external factors influence the complex relationship between diet and psychological health.

By the end of this course, you’ll understand how these diverse mechanisms collectively contribute to the diet-mental health continuum, equipping you with a holistic, evidence-based view of the interplay between what we eat and how we feel.

Course Information

Instructor Information

See the NP 150 Part II course page for Instructors and their qualifications. Once enrolled, Course Instructors and administrators may be contacted via the course platform and will make every effort to respond within 24 hours. Questions may be directed to info@nutritional-psychology.org. Check the syllabus for further information regarding the method of communication for course disputes and unresolved issues.

Course Details

Dates and Times: Open enrollment and registration
Location: Online
Course Format: Text with 18 short videos and 252 figures and illustrations 
Duration: 20 hours to complete
Access: Four months (120 Days) once enrolled

NOTICE! YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DEACTIVATED 3 MONTHS AFTER ENROLLMENT IN THIS COURSE. TO REGISTER FOR ANOTHER COURSE PLEASE CONTACT admin@nutritional-psychology.org TO REACTIVATE YOUR ACCOUNT.

Fees: The one-time course fee payment is due at the time of enrollment and is considered non-refundable. Exception for a partial refund (up to 75%) will be considered should the learner have proof of severe circumstances leaving them unable to complete the course. Learners who have completed the course's first module will not be refunded.

Additional Features

FAQs: See the course page for frequently asked questions.
Technical Requirements: Internet access and computer.
Accessibility: Learners with disabilities can email editor@nutritional-psychology.org for support.

Disclaimer 

The information in this course is not meant to, nor should it ever be used, to treat, mitigate, or cure psychiatric illness. This information should never be used as a substitute for sound medical advice. This educational course is designed to introduce professionals, students, and interested individuals to developing their understanding of the connection between diet and all aspects of psychological functioning and mental health. Best practices for how to integrate this information professionally, ethically, and within the standards of practice will be covered in upcoming courses. While this information can be incorporated into one's practice within an educational framework, it cannot be used to provide dietary advice or any form of dietary intervention or treat any psychological or mental health issues.

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy : Registration and course information is private and only available to course administrators.
Terms of Use: Legal terms regarding participation in the course. All information in this course is subject to copyright and, if used, must be properly cited according to the criteria in the "How Do I Cite this Course?" section.

Course Completion

Evaluation and Certificate

At the end of this course is a course evaluation. Upon completing this course evaluation, you will receive an electronic version of your Certificate of Completion. You may use this certificate as proof of enrollment in the course or submit it to your licensing body to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Your feedback lets us understand what went well and what can be improved. The conglomerated data from these evaluations are also used to help our sponsoring Continuing Education organizations (APA, CDR, etc.) determine whether we are meeting their standards. 

Should you have any questions, email the course administrator. We will respond within 24 hours. We appreciate your feedback and good luck with the course!

At the end of this course is a course evaluation. Upon completing this course evaluation, you will receive an electronic version of your Certificate of Completion. You may use this certificate as proof of enrollment in the course or submit it to your licensing body to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Your feedback lets us understand what went well and what can be improved. The conglomerated data from these evaluations are also used to help our sponsoring Continuing Education organizations (APA, CDR, etc.) determine whether we are meeting their standards. 

Should you have any questions, email the course administrator. We will respond within 24 hours. We appreciate your feedback and good luck with the course!

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

MODULE 5:

  • Define “psychoneuroimmunology” and explain its significance in understanding DMHR
  • Describe two physiological and two psychological responses to stress
  • Identify two roles of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in acute and chronic stress responses
  • Explain the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in regulating acute and chronic stress responses
  • State two implications of prolonged activation of the HPA axis on mental health
  • Differentiate between the roles of the sympathetic nervous system and the HPA axis in stress responses
  • Identify three ways the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is physiologically linked to stress responses
  • Discuss three ways stress influences immune responses and immune responses influence stress
  • State how early-life stress (ELS), brain development, and immune response interplay
  • Examine the bidirectional relationship between diet and stress regarding mental health
  • Identify one way stress influences dietary choices and one way dietary choices affect stress responses
  • State three stress-driven eating patterns and their implications for mental health

MODULE 6:

  • Analyze the differences between psychological and behavioral mechanisms and their roles in DMHR
  • Define emotional eating and identify three common triggers for this behavior
  • Identify two neurobiological aspects of emotional eating
  • Discuss two ways in which body image perception influences dietary choices
  • Explain two ways in which self-esteem affects eating behaviors
  • Identify three cognitive distortions that can negatively impact dietary habits
  • Name three mindfulness practices and their effects on eating behaviors
  • Define the habit loop and state two of its neural pathways
  • Explain how neuroplasticity contributes to habitual wiring in dietary choices
  • Identify two examples of reciprocal psych-behavioral dynamics in dietary habits
  • Define food addiction and describe three of its components
  • Identify three psychological dynamics of food addiction and their impact on eating patterns
  • Identify three behavioral patterns of food addiction and their effects on eating patterns
  • Define food noise and identify three intrusive food-related thoughts associated with it
  • State the neurobiological basis of food noise and its implications for dietary behavior
  • List three major regions involved in the brain's reward system
  • Identify three psychological effects of food noise and their impact on eating patterns
  • Identify three behavioral patterns of food noise and their impact on eating patterns

MODULE 7:

  • Identify three negative effects of food marketing that influence dietary intake behavior
  • Define social and environmental mechanisms and their significance in DMHR
  • Identify three factors related to economic accessibility impacting the DMHR
  • Discuss the intersection of social disparities with DMHR, including racial, ethnic, educational, and geographical influences on dietary habits and mental well-being
  • Identify three ways traditional dietary patterns impact DMHR
  • Evaluate the effects of societal norms and cultural stigma on dietary behaviors and mental health
  • Define dietary acculturation and identify two DMHR implications
  • Identify three ways early life experiences influence dietary habits and DMHR
  • Examine the role of social support networks and family dynamics in shaping dietary behaviors
  • State two ways loneliness affects eating patterns and mental health outcomes
  • Identify three aspects of the community environment's influence on dietary choices and mental health
  • Describe how food insecurity and food deserts influence DMHR
  • Name two ways nature and music influence eating behaviors and psychological well-being
  • Identify three ways urbanization-induced nutrition transitions influence dietary patterns and DMHR


How Do I Cite this Course?

Citing the whole course: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL 

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/ 

Citing a specific module: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 150: Biological mechanism in DMHR. In Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/

In-text citation: (Behairy, 2024)

Citing course on my resume/CV: Course title, institution, [type of course], completion date, URL 

Example: NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. October 20, 2024. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/

Citing the whole course: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL 

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/ 

Citing a specific module: Instructor(s). (Year). Title of module or chapter. In Title of course [Type of course]. Name of Platform. URL

Example: Behairy, S. F. (2024). NP 150: Biological mechanism in DMHR. In Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/

In-text citation: (Behairy, 2024)

Citing course on my resume/CV: Course title, institution, [type of course], completion date, URL 

Example: NP 150: Mechanisms in the Diet-Mental Health Relationship (Part II) [Online course]. The Center for Nutritional Psychology. October 20, 2024. https://www.nutritional-psychology.org/np-150/np-150-part-2/