Food reinforcement, motivation to obtain food, is associated with energy intake and obesity. Finding ways to decrease the reinforcing value of unhealthy foods may help with adherence to diets and weight loss. Our previous study in non-obese adults showed that daily consumption of the same snack food (food typically consumed outside of meals) for 14 days significantly decreased its reinforcing value. The purpose of this study was to replicate and extend these findings to obese individuals as well as to examine effects of different portion sizes of snack foods on food reinforcement. Thirty-one obese (body mass index \> 30 kg/m2) and 27 non-obese (BMI \< 30 kg/m2) women had food reinforcement and liking tested at baseline and after two weeks of daily consumption of either 0 kcal, 100 kcals, or 300 kcals daily of the same snack food.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
65
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York, United States
Number of Responses Made by Clicking a Mouse Button for Food
Participants were asked to click a button on a computer mouse and after a certaion number of responses, participants would receive a point. After 5 points, the participants received a portion of snack food.
Time frame: During 2nd and 3rd visits
Energy Intake
energy contained in eaten foods and beverages
Time frame: visits 1, 2, and 3 plus on the phone throughout the study.
Body Weight
body weight
Time frame: visit 1 and visit 3
Height
height
Time frame: visits 1 and 3
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