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Thesis
Prefrontal asymmetry: correlates of restraint and eating behaviors
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jul 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3156
Abstract
Obesity is a pandemic health problem. Attempts at treatment have consistently failed, but a step toward prevention could be achieved if those who are predisposed to overeat can be identified. Unfortunately, behavioral researchers seeking to identify salient individual differences in propensity for weight gain have produced findings that are contradictory and difficult to integrate into a cohesive theoretical framework. The examination of neural activity during states of hunger and satiety and during a behavioral task may provide some clarity. Chronic dieters (restrained eaters), people with negative affective traits (such as depression and anxiety), and people with a self-reported tendency to withdraw from aversive stimuli are all characterized by right prefrontal asymmetry. Some restrained eaters disinhibit their eating after a preload, particularly when depressed or anxious. This disinhibition may explain their tendency to gain weight. One purpose of this study was to replicate the finding of right asymmetry in restrained eaters and to determine the effects of a preload on this asymmetry. Subsequently, we investigated whether the counter-regulatory process is correlated with changes in prefrontal activity and whether individual difference measures such as disinhibition and restraint could predict changes in prefrontal asymmetry during a counter-regulation paradigm.
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Details
- Title
- Prefrontal asymmetry
- Creators
- Joseph Jason van Steenburgh - DU
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3156; 991014631958004721