Creativity in energy balance, obesity and feeding behavior research, some thoughts

Physiol Behav. 2023 Jul 1:266:114161. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114161. Epub 2023 Mar 21.

Abstract

This review provides an overview of examples of especially creative work related to the fields of ingestive behavior, energetics (defined as the study of the acquisition, storage, and use of metabolizable energy by biological organisms and the causes and consequences of such acquisition, storage, and use), and nutrition, focusing on both individual works and discoveries, as well as bodies of works and in some cases the working styles of particular scientists. The paper then discusses some principles extracted from our observations as well as from the literature on creativity pointing out some factors that seem to make for more creative science and that can be done by individuals to promote creativity in their own work. Finally, we end with a short set of tips for the field in general to promote creativity among our ranks broadly.

Keywords: Creativity; Divergent and transcendental thinking; Energetics; Ingestive behavior; Metabolism; Nutrition and obesity.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Creativity*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Obesity