Perseverative Cognition and Snack Choice: An Online Pilot Investigation

Abstract

Perseverative cognition (PC), consisting of worry and rumination, has been consistently linked to a variety of poorer health outcomes, namely via the worsening of stress-induced health risk behaviours. However, research into PC and unhealthy food choice, a key health behaviour, still remains relatively unexplored. In the current pilot investigation, 284 participants were recruited to take part in an online food choice paradigm before completing the Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire (PTQ) and the Brief State Rumination Inventory (BSRI). As a reduced availability of unhealthy snacks has been shown to improve snack choice, participants were randomly allocated to either an even condition (a 3:3 ratio of ≤99 kcal and ≥199 kcal snacks) or an uneven condition (a 4:2 ratio in favour of ≤99 kcal snacks). It was hypothesized that higher levels of PC may predict greater instances of poorer snack choices across, or even within, this paradigm. Despite an increase availability of lower calorie snacks leading to a healthier snack choice, both state and trait PC measures did not significantly influence snack choice irrespective of this varying availability. Although, marginal trends were found for higher state PC and higher calorie crisp selections. The current pilot therefore adds to the growing literature advocating for the use of behavioural economic tactics to engender healthier food choices, yet further work is needed to unpick the mediating role of PC (and its components) in snack consumption paradigms.

Rumination and Worry Selectively Modulate Total Calorie Consumption within an Online, Nudge Tactic Paradigm

“…The current study aimed to build upon a previous pilot investigation [30] in which we aimed to test whether the two facets of perseverative cognition, worry and rumination, would lead to poorer food choice as well as increased (hypothetical) calorie consumption; within two conditions that varied in availability of higher calorie snacks. In line with Hypothesis 1b, the results showed that an increased availability of low-calorie snacks made it twice as likely for an individual to opt for a lower calorie snack relative to the even availability condition.…”

“…It could also be argued that the online nature of the study (in which no food was physically consumed by the participants) perhaps limits the conclusions that can be drawn. However, it is noteworthy that as food purchases become ever more accessible online (and or via mobile applications), this does still provide a valid indicator of the desire to order and consume food [30]. Other important considerations of the current food choice paradigm include those of the demand characteristics of the participants.…”

“…From this, no significant differences were identified across the two groups for any of the demographic variables (all p > 0.10). As with the previous pilot investigation [30], this task presented participants with six images of sweet snack items simultaneously and in a randomised order on screen. Those in the even condition were faced with an array of four low calorie snack items and two higher calorie items, while those in the even condition were presented with three low calorie and three higher calorie snacks.…”

“…In this vein, in a previous pilot investigation conducted by the current research team, we aimed to establish whether state and or trait PC could influence snack choice within a forced choice, nudge paradigm [30]. Participants were randomly allocated to an uneven or an even condition before completing a snack choice task.…”

Attitudes of 10–12-year-old primary school pupils towards food and nutrition: insights from Qualitative FGI Research – Junior-Edu-Żywienie (JEŻ) Project

“…Glucocorticoids, as the effector molecules of the stress response has also been shown to result in an increased tendency to consume high-calorie, palatable foods [51]. In addition, the reduced availability of unhealthy, higher calorie snacks, was found to significantly reduce the likelihood of choosing a higher calorie snack relative to an even availability of high and low calorie snacks [52].…”