A dual-process approach to exploring the role of delay discounting in obesity

• Delay discounting for financial rewards has been inconsistently related to overeating and obesity.
• Dual-process accounts of both obesity and discounting behaviour support two-parameter models.
• A two-parameter model showed superior fit to a traditional single-parameter model in lean and obese participants.
• Both indices produced by the two-parameter model were shown to be significantly different between weight groups.
• Implications for modelling delay discounting in future obesity-related research are discussed.

Delay discounting of financial rewards has been related to overeating and obesity. Neuropsychological evidence supports a dual-system account of both discounting and overeating behaviour where the degree of impulsive decision making is determined by the relative strength of reward desire and executive control. A dual-parameter model of discounting behaviour is consistent with this theory.In this study, the fit of the commonly used one-parameter model was compared to a new dual-parameter model for the first time in a sample of adults with wide ranging BMI. Delay discounting data from 79 males and females (males = 26) across a wide age (M = 28.44 years (SD = 8.81)) and BMI range (M = 25.42 (SD = 5.16)) was analysed. A dual-parameter model (saturating-hyperbolic; Doya, [Doya (2008) ]) was applied to the data and compared on model fit indices to the single-parameter model.Discounting was significantly greater in the overweight/obese participants using both models, however, the two parameter model showed a superior fit to data (p < 0.0001). The two parameters were shown to be related yet distinct measures consistent with a dual-system account of inter-temporal choice behaviour.The dual-parameter model showed superior fit to data and the two parameters were shown to be related yet distinct indices sensitive to differences between weight groups. Findings are discussed in terms of the impulsive reward and executive control systems that contribute to unhealthy food choice and within the context of obesity related research.