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
A review of 39 animal and human studies examining dietary variety, energy intake and body composition, plus 19 studies on sensory-specific satiety. It reports that food consumption increases with more variety in a meal or diet, and that greater dietary variety is associated with increased body weight and fat. ”A hypothesized mechanism for these findings is sensory-specific satiety” — 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. It concludes with ”the relevance of oral habituation theory as a unifying construct” for variety and sensory-specific satiety.
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. Member, 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (USDA/HHS).
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). 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%). Research on TV reduction in childhood obesity treatment, food reinforcement and the 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).
DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.127.3.325 · PubMed 11393299 · Publisher