“Obesity is the biggest unrecognized public health problem in the world” (2009-2010 Report International Association for the Study of Obesity). Reversing the global obesity epidemic requires a better understanding of the evidence to date relating to factors which may contribute to excess energy intake and weight gain, particularly those determinants of lifestyle factors such as dietary intake and nutrition. This special issue of the journal will focus on the behavioral determinants (psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental) of dietary intake and nutrition, and how these determinants influence obesity/weight. Articles may address either direct associations between behavioral factors and obesity (behavioral factors → obesity) or indirect associations via the mediating influence of dietary intake and nutrition (behavioral factors → dietary intake and nutrition → obesity). Authors are encouraged to consider the policy implications of their research or review. The editors of this special issue welcome original research articles as well as review papers on humans of any age and health status. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• The contributions of the family (home) environment to dietary intake, meal, and snacking patterns and obesity risk
• Environmental determinants (built and social environment, cultural factors) of eating behavior and nutrition
• The effect of food industry initiatives on dietary intake and nutrition
• Impulsivity, emotional regulation, and eating behavior
• Socioeconomic status and obesity
• Food purchasing behaviors and obesity
• The association between physical activity, dietary behaviors, and obesity prevalence
• The underlying mechanisms for the association between dietary restraint, dieting, and obesity

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobes/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: