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Bailey C, Lim SL. Investigating psychological mechanisms of self-controlled decisions for food and leisure activity. J Behav Med 2024; 47:458-470. [PMID: 38342789 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-024-00469-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Maintaining a healthy body weight requires balancing energy intake and expenditure. While previous research investigated energy input or food decisions, little is known about energy output or leisure activity decisions. By combining experimental decision-making paradigms and computational approaches, we investigated the psychological mechanisms of self-controlled food and leisure activity decisions through the effects of reward-oriented and health-oriented preferences as well as body weight status, stress, and coping. Based on individual's responses, the self-controlled food and leisure activity choices were indexed as the proportions of "no" unhealthy but tasty (or enjoyable) (inhibitory self-control against short-term pleasure) and "yes" healthy but not tasty (or not enjoyable) responses (initiatory self-control for long-term health benefits). The successful self-control decisions for food and leisure activity were positively correlated with each other, r = 22, p < .01. In beta regression analyses, the successful self-controlled food decisions decreased as the taste-oriented process increased, β = - 0.50, z = -2.99, p < .005, and increased as the health-oriented process increased, β = 1.57, z = 4.68, p < .001. Similarly, the successful self-controlled leisure activity decisions decreased as the enjoyment-oriented process increased, β = - 0.79, z = -5.31, p < .001, and increased as the health-oriented process increased, β = 0.66, z = 2.19, p < .05. The effects of the other factors were not significant. Overall, our findings demonstrated the mutual interrelationship between food and leisure activity decision-making and suggest that encouraging health-oriented processes may benefit both energy input and expenditure domains and improve self-controlled choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Bailey
- Department of Psychology and Counseling, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5030 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Seung-Lark Lim
- Department of Psychology and Counseling, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 5030 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
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Lim SL, Bruce AS, Shook RP. Neurocomputational mechanisms of food and physical activity decision-making in male adolescents. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6145. [PMID: 37061558 PMCID: PMC10105706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32823-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the neurocomputational mechanisms in which male adolescents make food and physical activity decisions and how those processes are influenced by body weight and physical activity levels. After physical activity and dietary assessments, thirty-eight males ages 14-18 completed the behavioral rating and fMRI decision tasks for food and physical activity items. The food and physical activity self-control decisions were significantly correlated with each other. In both, taste- or enjoyment-oriented processes were negatively associated with successful self-control decisions, while health-oriented processes were positively associated. The correlation between taste/enjoyment and healthy attribute ratings predicted actual laboratory food intake and physical activities (2-week activity monitoring). fMRI data showed the decision values of both food and activity are encoded in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, suggesting both decisions share common reward value-related circuits at the time of choice. Compared to the group with overweight/obese, the group with normal weight showed stronger brain activations in the cognitive control, multisensory integration, and motor control regions during physical activity decisions. For both food and physical activity, self-controlled decisions utilize similar computational and neurobiological mechanisms, which may provide insights into how to promote healthy food and physical activity decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Lark Lim
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 5030 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
| | - Amanda S Bruce
- Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy, 610 E. 2nd St, Kansas City, MO, 66108, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Robin P Shook
- Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Mercy, 610 E. 2nd St, Kansas City, MO, 66108, USA
- School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes, Kansas City, MO, 64108, USA
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Russell A, Jansen E, Burnett AJ, Lee J, Russell CG. Children's eating behaviours and related constructs: conceptual and theoretical foundations and their implications. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2023; 20:19. [PMID: 36793039 PMCID: PMC9933409 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-023-01407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a substantial body of research on children's eating behaviours (e.g., food responsiveness and fussiness) and related constructs (e.g., eating in the absence of hunger, appetite self-regulation). This research provides a foundation for understanding children's dietary intakes and healthy eating behaviours, as well as efforts at intervention, whether in relation to food avoidance, overeating and/or trajectories to excess weight gain. The success of these efforts and their associated outcomes is dependent on the theoretical foundation and conceptual clarity of the behaviours and constructs. This, in turn contributes to the coherence and precision of the definitions and measurement of these behaviours and constructs. Limited clarity in these areas ultimately creates uncertainty around the interpretation of findings from research studies and intervention programs. At present there does not appear to be an overarching theoretical framework of children's eating behaviours and associated constructs, or for separate domains of children's eating behaviours/constructs. The main purpose of the present review was to examine the possible theoretical foundations of some of the main current questionnaire and behavioural measures of children's eating behaviours and related constructs. METHODS We reviewed the literature on the most prominent measures of children's eating behaviours for use with children aged ~ 0-12 years. We focused on the explanations and justifications for the original design of the measures and whether these included theoretical perspectives, as well as current theoretical interpretations (and difficulties) of the behaviours and constructs. RESULTS We found that the most commonly used measures had their foundations in relatively applied or practical concerns rather than theoretical perspectives. CONCLUSIONS We concluded, consistent with Lumeng & Fisher (1), that although existing measures have served the field well, to advance the field as a science, and better contribute to knowledge development, increased attention should be directed to the conceptual and theoretical foundations of children's eating behaviours and related constructs. Suggestions for future directions are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Russell
- grid.1014.40000 0004 0367 2697College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia Australia
| | - Elena Jansen
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Alissa J. Burnett
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jookyeong Lee
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia ,grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079CASS Food Research Centre, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Catherine G. Russell
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Russell CG, Russell A. Editorial: Conceptualizing and measuring appetite self-regulation and its development in infancy and childhood. Front Nutr 2022; 9:976049. [PMID: 36061893 PMCID: PMC9429813 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.976049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine G. Russell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Catherine G. Russell
| | - Alan Russell
- College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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Fuchs BA, Roberts NJ, Adise S, Pearce AL, Geier CF, White C, Oravecz Z, Keller KL. Decision-Making Processes Related to Perseveration Are Indirectly Associated With Weight Status in Children Through Laboratory-Assessed Energy Intake. Front Psychol 2021; 12:652595. [PMID: 34489782 PMCID: PMC8416493 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.652595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Decision-making contributes to what and how much we consume, and deficits in decision-making have been associated with increased weight status in children. Nevertheless, the relationships between cognitive and affective processes underlying decision-making (i.e., decision-making processes) and laboratory food intake are unclear. We used data from a four-session, within-subjects laboratory study to investigate the relationships between decision-making processes, food intake, and weight status in 70 children 7-to-11-years-old. Decision-making was assessed with the Hungry Donkey Task (HDT), a child-friendly task where children make selections with unknown reward outcomes. Food intake was measured with three paradigms: (1) a standard ad libitum meal, (2) an eating in the absence of hunger (EAH) protocol, and (3) a palatable buffet meal. Individual differences related to decision-making processes during the HDT were quantified with a reinforcement learning model. Path analyses were used to test whether decision-making processes that contribute to children’s (a) expected value of a choice and (b) tendency to perseverate (i.e., repeatedly make the same choice) were indirectly associated with weight status through their effects on intake (kcal). Results revealed that increases in the tendency to perseverate after a gain outcome were positively associated with intake at all three paradigms and indirectly associated with higher weight status through intake at both the standard and buffet meals. Increases in the tendency to perseverate after a loss outcome were positively associated with EAH, but only in children whose tendency to perseverate persistedacross trials. Results suggest that decision-making processes that shape children’s tendencies to repeat a behavior (i.e., perseverate) are related to laboratory energy intake across multiple eating paradigms. Children who are more likely to repeat a choice after a positive outcome have a tendency to eat more at laboratory meals. If this generalizes to contexts outside the laboratory, these children may be susceptible to obesity. By using a reinforcement learning model not previously applied to the study of eating behaviors, this study elucidated potential determinants of excess energy intake in children, which may be useful for the development of childhood obesity interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bari A Fuchs
- Metabolic Kitchen and Children's Eating Behavior Laboratory, Department of Nutritional Sciences, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Nicole J Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shana Adise
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Alaina L Pearce
- Metabolic Kitchen and Children's Eating Behavior Laboratory, Department of Nutritional Sciences, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Charles F Geier
- The Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Corey White
- Department of Psychology, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO, United States
| | - Zita Oravecz
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Kathleen L Keller
- Metabolic Kitchen and Children's Eating Behavior Laboratory, Department of Nutritional Sciences, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States.,Department of Food Science, State College, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Ha OR, Killian HJ, Davis AM, Lim SL, Bruce JM, Sotos JJ, Nelson SC, Bruce AS. Promoting Resilience to Food Commercials Decreases Susceptibility to Unhealthy Food Decision-Making. Front Psychol 2020; 11:599663. [PMID: 33343472 PMCID: PMC7738621 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.599663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Children are vulnerable to adverse effects of food advertising. Food commercials are known to increase hedonic, taste-oriented, and unhealthy food decisions. The current study examined how promoting resilience to food commercials impacted susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making in children. To promote resilience to food commercials, we utilized the food advertising literacy intervention intended to enhance cognitive skepticism and critical thinking, and decrease positive attitudes toward commercials. Thirty-six children aged 8–12 years were randomly assigned to the food advertising literacy intervention or the control condition. Eighteen children received four brief intervention sessions via video over 1 week period. In each session, children watched six food commercials with interspersed embedded intervention narratives. While watching food commercials and narratives, children were encouraged to speak their thoughts out loud spontaneously (“think-aloud”), which provided children's attitudes toward commercials. Eighteen children in the control condition had four control sessions over 1 week, and watched the same food commercials without intervention narratives while thinking aloud. The first and last sessions were held in the laboratory, and the second and third sessions were held at the children's homes. Susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making was indicated by the decision weights of taste attributes, taste perception, food choices, ad libitum snacking, and cognitive and affective attitudes toward food commercials. As hypothesized, the intervention successfully decreased susceptibility to unhealthy food decision-making evidenced by reduced decision weights of the taste in food decisions, decreased tasty perception of unhealthy foods, and increased cognitive skepticism and critical thinking toward food commercials. In addition, as children's opinions assimilated to intervention narratives, their cognitive skepticism and critical thinking toward commercials increased. The aforementioned results were not shown in the control condition. However, this brief intervention was not enough to change actual food choices or food consumption. Results of this study suggest that promoting resilience to food commercials by enhancing cognitive skepticism and critical thinking effectively reduced children's susceptibility to unhealthy food-decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oh-Ryeong Ha
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Haley J Killian
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Ann M Davis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States.,Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Seung-Lark Lim
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Jared M Bruce
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Jarrod J Sotos
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Samuel C Nelson
- Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Amanda S Bruce
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States.,Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition, Kansas City, MO, United States
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