REFLECTION PAPER: PERSONAL ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Reflection Paper: Personal Assignment Instructions Name University People develop their eating behaviors based on varied influences. Meiselman acknowledges this aspect by highlighting the impacts of social, environmental, emotional, and psychological components on the development of food choices and habits.1 As a result, such aspects determine the food items an individual prefers and the frequency of intake, influencing their health outcomes. Thus, reflecting on my past influences reveals the effect of influential family members, socialization, and stress on my food preferences and habits. Living and eating in a family set-up for most of my life indicates that social activities such as sharing meals at home and influential family members, particularly my parents, contributed to my current eating habits. As a result, my preference for balanced meals arises from the sustained emphasis by my parents on the value of remaining cautious of what one consumes. Chen and Antonelli agree that routine eating in a family unit molds desirable eating behaviors that individuals transition into adulthood.2 However, other social relationships, such as eating out with friends in school and other entertainment places, have modeled my eating habits differently by making consuming junk food appear fashionable.1 These behaviors have altered my eating patterns, especially on weekends, by introducing highly processed items. Despite remaining healthy, such behaviors have triggered a significant weight gain that requires me to re-examine my diet to avoid becoming overweight. Evaluating my eating behaviors confirms ...