Self-Control in Intertemporal Choice and Mediterranean Dietary Pattern.
María J Muñoz Torrecillas1, Salvador Cruz Rambaud1, Taiki Takahashi2
1Department of Economics and Business, Universidad de Almería, Almería, Spain.
Frontiers in Public Health
|July 3, 2018
Summary
High adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is linked to lower impulsivity and better self-control. Conversely, low adherence to the MD is associated with increased impatience and higher discount rates.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Economics
- Nutritional Science
- Psychology
Background:
- The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is recognized as a healthy eating pattern.
- Adherence to the MD can be quantified using the KIDMED index, categorizing individuals into high, medium, or low adherence groups.
- Impatience in intertemporal choice is characterized by a preference for immediate rewards over larger, delayed ones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD), assessed via the KIDMED index, and impatience in intertemporal choices.
- To quantify this relationship using the discount rate parameter (k) from hyperbolic discounting.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 207 university students.
- Participants completed the KIDMED test for dietary assessment and an intertemporal choice questionnaire.
- Individuals were categorized by KIDMED scores, and their discount rate (k) was calculated.
Main Results:
- Discount rates (k) were inversely correlated with MD adherence.
- Average k-values were 1.53% (high adherence), 1.91% (medium adherence), and 3.71% (low adherence).
- A magnitude effect was observed, with higher k-values for larger rewards across all groups.
Conclusions:
- Higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet correlates with reduced time discounting, indicating lower impulsivity and greater self-control.
- Lower adherence to the MD is associated with steeper time discounting, suggesting increased impulsivity and higher discount rates.
- These findings can inform targeted public health interventions to promote healthier dietary habits.
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