Validating a behavioral economic approach to assess food demand: Effects of body mass index, dietary restraint, and impulsivity

Behavioral economic theory is a useful framework for analyzing factors influencing choice, but the majority of human behavioral economic research has focused on drug choice. The behavioral economic choice paradigm may also be valuable for understanding food-maintained behavior. Our primary objective was two-fold: (1) Validate a human laboratory model of food-appetitive behavior, and (2) Assess the contribution of individual level factors that may differentially impact food choice behavior. Two studies were conducted. In Study 1, female subjects (N = 17) participated in two consecutive food choice experimental sessions, whereas in Study 2, female subjects (N = 21) participated in one concurrent food choice experimental session. During consecutive choice sessions (Study 1), demand for the more palatable food (i.e., high-sugar/high-fat) was more inelastic than the less palatable (i.e., low-sugar/low-fat) option. During concurrent choice sessions, demand for the more palatable food (i.e., high-sugar/high-fat) was more inelastic for restrained vs. unrestrained eaters, and for those who were overweight vs. normal weight. Demand for both palatable and less palatable choices was more elastic for high-impulsive vs. low-impulsive subjects. These findings suggest that the behavioral economic framework can be used successfully to develop a human laboratory model of food-appetitive behavior.

• Demand for high-sugar/high-fat food generated in the direction expected.
• Demand for high-sugar/high-fat food more inelastic for restrained eaters.
• Demand curves for high-sugar/high-fat food more inelastic for overweight subjects.
• Demand for both food choices more elastic for high-impulsive subjects.