Decision-Making Processes Related to Perseveration Are Indirectly Associated With Weight Status in Children Through Laboratory-Assessed Energy Intake

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.652595
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18T11:43:27Z
• Authors: Bari A. Fuchs; Nicole J. Roberts; Shana Adise; Alaina L. Pearce; Charles F. Geier; Corey White; Zita Oravecz; Kathleen L. Keller
• Keywords: Perseveration; Food Choice

Decision-making contributes to what and how much we consume, deficits in decision-making have been associated with increased weight status children. Nevertheless, the relationships between cognitive affective processes underlying (i.e., processes) laboratory food intake are unclear. We used data from a four-session, within-subjects study investigate processes, intake, 70 children 7-to-11-years-old. was assessed Hungry Donkey Task (HDT), child-friendly task where make selections unknown reward outcomes. Food measured three paradigms: (1) standard ad libitum meal, (2) an eating absence of hunger (EAH) protocol, (3) palatable buffet meal. Individual differences related during HDT were quantified reinforcement learning model. Path analyses test whether that contribute children’s (a) expected value choice (b) tendency perseverate repeatedly same choice) indirectly through their effects on (kcal). Results revealed increases after gain outcome positively at all paradigms higher both meals. Increases loss EAH, but only whose persistedacross trials. suggest shape tendencies repeat behavior perseverate) energy across multiple paradigms. Children who more likely positive eat If this generalizes contexts outside laboratory, these may be susceptible obesity. By using model not previously applied behaviors, elucidated potential determinants excess children, which useful for development childhood obesity interventions.