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This paper introduces a novel distinction between foods as a function of the frequency with which consumers eat them, and investigates how this distinction influences dietary beliefs and decisions. It compares food types perceived to be consumed relatively infrequently (i.e., infrequent foods) to those perceived to be consumed relatively frequently (i.e., frequent foods). Across an analysis of archival data from a popular calorie tracking app and five experiments examining hypothetical consumption decisions, findings support the conclusion that infrequent foods provide unique challenges for consumers. All else equal, consumers select larger portions of infrequent (vs. frequent) foods. Further, consumers are less likely to compensate (i.e., eat less) after consuming equal amounts of infrequent versus frequent foods. This pattern of results arises because consumers erroneously believe that infrequent foods have a smaller impact on their weight than frequent foods do, even in the presence of caloric information. Optimistically, participants can be taught to overcome this bias through a brief informational intervention.

Background: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition. It is characterized by recurrent and persistent intrusive thoughts, urges or images (obsessions) and/or, repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in response to the intrusive thoughts. The prevalence of OCD in childhood ranges from 0.5%-3%. It is thought that psychosocial stressors and trauma may worsen OCD symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine measures have been shown to cause stress and to be associated with a negative impact on psychiatric disorders. Although there is literature describing worsening of OCD and other psychiatric conditions in adults, little has been written about the worsening of obsessions and compulsions in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. We report a case of worsening obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms in an adolescent during the COVID-19 pandemic which responded well to a therapeutic dose of sertraline.

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