An 11-year-old starts asking for a particular snack. His parents have not bought it before. No friend introduced it. He has simply seen it. Again. And again. And again. Opened on camera. Tasted by a favorite creator. Rated a “must-try.” By the time he asks his parents to buy it, is it still simply a food preference? Welcome to the new feeding environment I recently used a version of this scenario while delivering intensive professional training on integrating mental health, behavior,...

At 6 p.m., dinner has already produced four diagnoses. His mother thinks he is being difficult. His grandmother thinks he spoiled his appetite. His father says, “He'll eat when he's hungry.” The internet suggests sensory sensitivity. The child has said only three words: “I don't want.” We are remarkably quick to respond. We negotiate. Substitute. Distract. Offer “just one bite.” Turn on a screen. Search for foods picky eaters will eat. But what if refusal is not where the story...

One question has followed me throughout my career: Why do people engage with health interventions - or choose not to? I have explored that question in nutrition, public health, media psychology, and now digital mental health. Although the settings have changed, one observation has remained remarkably consistent. People often know what they should do. They know what constitutes a healthy diet. They understand the benefits of physical activity. They know vaccines prevent disease. They recognize...