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Impulsivity and Fast-Food Consumption: A Cross-Sectional Study among Working Adults
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
|June 23, 2015
Summary
Impulsivity, or valuing immediate rewards, is linked to increased fast-food consumption in employed adults. Strategies to manage impulsivity may help promote healthier eating habits.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral economics
- Nutritional psychology
- Decision science
Background:
- Limited understanding of adult decision-making regarding fast-food consumption.
- Impulsivity defined as prioritizing immediate rewards over future consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the link between impulsivity and fast-food intake in employed adults.
- To identify reasons behind fast-food choices.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional online survey of 478 university-employed adults.
- Assessed impulsivity using the area under the delay discounting curve (AUC).
- Statistical analyses included ANOVA, t tests, Pearson correlations, and linear regression.
Main Results:
- 67% of participants consumed fast food weekly; average 2.8 meals/week.
- Higher fast-food consumption and BMI correlated with greater impulsivity.
- Impulsivity (AUC) significantly predicted fast-food consumption, controlling for demographics.
Conclusions:
- Greater impulsivity is associated with increased fast-food consumption.
- Interventions to reduce impulsivity may support healthier dietary choices.
- Strategies like reward substitution and precommitment could be beneficial.
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