Negative reinforcement-based treatment to increase food intake

A negative reinforcement-based treatment package was associated with desirable weight gain in a 22-year-old woman with developmental disabilities who demonstrated chronic food refusal. Treatments including extinction of escape and continuous access to preferred foods were not successful in increasing her weight. The negative reinforcement intervention included escape from eating and the dining area contingent upon the consumption of food. Improved oral consumption and increases in weight were achieved under negative reinforcement conditions and these results were maintained at follow-up intervals of 1 and 3 months.