Origins of food reinforcement in infants

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Kai Ling KongLeonard H Epstein

Abstract

Rapid weight gain in infancy is associated with a higher risk of obesity in children and adults. A high relative reinforcing value of food is cross-sectionally related to obesity; lean children find nonfood alternatives more reinforcing than do overweight/obese children. However, to our knowledge, there is no research on how and when food reinforcement develops. This study was designed to assess whether the reinforcing value of food and nonfood alternatives could be tested in 9- to 18-mo-old infants and whether the reinforcing value of food and nonfood alternatives is differentially related to infant weight status. Reinforcing values were assessed by using absolute progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, with presentation of food and nonfood alternatives counterbalanced in 2 separate studies. Two nonfood reinforcers [Baby Einstein-Baby MacDonald shows (study 1, n = 27) or bubbles (study 2, n = 30)] were tested against the baby's favorite food. Food reinforcing ratio (FRR) was quantified by measuring the reinforcing value of food (Food Pmax) in proportion to the total reinforcing value of food and a nonfood alternative (DVD Pmax or BUB Pmax). Greater weight-for-length z score was associated with a greater FRR of a favorite...Continue Reading

Associated Clinical Trials

Sep 1, 2014·Leonard Epstein, Leonard Epstein

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Citations

Mar 31, 2016·Obesity·Kai Ling KongLeonard H Epstein
Jun 5, 2016·Pediatric Clinics of North America·Angela J Jacques-Tiura, Mark K Greenwald
Oct 30, 2016·Preventive Medicine·Kai Ling Kong, Leonard H Epstein
Jul 23, 2016·Childhood Obesity·Kai Ling KongLeonard H Epstein
Mar 4, 2015·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Myles S Faith, Angelo Pietrobelli
Jul 12, 2020·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Kai Ling KongRocco A Paluch
May 18, 2021·Frontiers in Psychology·Sally G EagletonJennifer S Savage
Jul 5, 2021·Physiology & Behavior·Leonard H Epstein, Katelyn A Carr

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