Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc
E-ISSN: 2055-2238|1|2|131-135
ISSN: 2055-2238
Source: Obesity Science & Practice, Vol.1, Iss.2, 2015-12, pp. : 131-135
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
SummaryObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine how sensitivity to short‐term reward and long‐term goal perseverance are related to body mass index (BMI; kg m2) in a large sample of men and women with and without obesity.MethodsA total of 450 participants (56.2% male; 73.1% non‐Hispanic White) with mean ± standard deviation age of 30.7 ± 10.4 years and BMI of 29.3 ± 8.2 completed online versions of the Delayed Reward Discounting task to measure sensitivity to short‐term reward and the Grit Scale to measure long‐term goal perseverance.ResultsIn regression analysis, higher sensitivity to short‐term reward (i.e. a preference for receiving smaller rewards after a shorter delay; b = 0.49, p = 0.016) and lower long‐term goal perseverance (b = −1.26, p = 0.042) were independently associated with higher BMIs. Individuals with a favourable score on one measure were not ‘protected’ from the risk associated with an unfavourable score on the other measure.ConclusionsAn overvaluation of short‐term reward (e.g. the taste of palatable food and the comfort of engaging in sedentary activities) and undervaluation of long‐term health goals (e.g. achieving a healthy weight and avoiding obesity‐related comorbidities) may contribute to excess weight. Additional research incorporating prospective experimental designs is needed to determine whether decision‐making strategies can be targeted to improve weight management.
Related content
Greater Reward‐Related Neuronal Response to Hedonic Foods in Women Compared with Men
OBESITY, Vol. 26, Iss. 2, 2018-02 ,pp. :
By Silventoinen Karri Jousilahti Pekka Vartiainen Erkki Tuomilehto Jaakko
Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, Vol. 31, Iss. 4, 2003-08 ,pp. :
By Ehrlich Samantha F. Rosas Lisa G. Ferrara Assiamira King Janet C. Abrams Barbara Harley Kim G. Hedderson Monique M. Eskenazi Brenda
American Journal of Epidemiology, Vol. 177, Iss. 8, 2013-04 ,pp. :
JOURNAL OF OBSTETRIC, GYNECOLOGIC & NEONATAL NURSING, Vol. 44, Iss. 6, 2015-11 ,pp. :