Research paper
Raynor HA, Epstein LH. Dietary variety, energy regulation, and obesity. Psychol Bull. 2001 May;127(3):325-41. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.127.3.325
Why we cite it
Systematic review of 39 studies examining how dietary variety affects energy intake and body composition, plus 19 studies on sensory-specific satiety. Reports that greater food variety leads to increased consumption and higher body weight and fat. The mechanism involves sensory-specific satiety — the review's own verb — the decline in pleasantness of a food as it is consumed, relative to unconsumed alternatives, which means introducing new foods renews appetite even when satiation for previously consumed foods has been reached. Also develops oral habituation theory as a broader explanatory framework: repeated exposure to a stimulus reduces responding (intake), and variety disrupts this habituation process. This review provides the foundational evidence base for understanding why diverse food environments (buffets, large supermarket selections, varied menus) promote overconsumption.
About the author
Hollie A. Raynor — BS Food and Nutrition (San Diego State University, 1992). MS Public Health Nutrition (University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1995). PhD Clinical Psychology (University at Buffalo, SUNY, 2003). Registered Dietitian. At time of paper: doctoral student under Epstein at University at Buffalo. Currently Professor, Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Director, Healthy Eating and Activity Laboratory (HEAL). Executive Associate Dean of Research and Operations, CEHHS (2020–). 2026 Chancellor's Professor, UTK. 2025 Medallion Award from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (highest honor). Member, 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (USDA/HHS). ~15,800 citations, 184+ publications, $26M+ in research funding.
Leonard H. Epstein — BA Psychology (Lafayette College, 1968). PhD Clinical Psychology (Ohio University, 1973). Career: University of Mississippi Medical Center (1973–74), Auburn University (1974–77), University of Pittsburgh (1977–93), University at Buffalo (1993–present). SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics (2010 — highest SUNY rank). Division Chief, Behavioral Medicine, UB Department of Pediatrics (1999–). Developed the Traffic Light Diet for pediatric weight management. Buffalo Childhood Weight Control Program demonstrated 50% maintained healthy weight at 10 years (vs. typical ≤10%). First to demonstrate TV reduction improves childhood obesity outcomes. Pioneered food reinforcement and behavioral economics of eating. Hoebel Prize for Creativity (Society for Study of Ingestive Behavior, 2017). APA Award for Outstanding Contributions to Health Psychology. Past President, APA Division 38 (Health Psychology). Fellow, AAAS (2013). h-index ~106–121, ~40,000–51,000 citations, ~580 publications.
DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.127.3.325 · PubMed 11393299 · Publisher