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Thesis
Self-reports of appetitive motivation vs. actual consumption: does the distinction make a difference?
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Apr 2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011080
Abstract
Background: Obesity, a chronic condition associated with a range of negative health consequences, continues to increase in prevalence despite significant efforts aimed at its prevention and treatment. A driving force underlying ever-growing rates of obesity is chronic overconsumption. Overconsumption, the repeated consumption of calories beyond energy needs, involves both a motivational component (desire to consume) and a behavioral component (consumption). Motivation and consumption are distinct concepts but are often treated interchangeably in self-report measures of eating. The distinction between motivation and consumption has been well-documented in neuroimaging studies in these areas. However, the extent to which a meaningful distinction between motivation and consumption can be measured at the self-report level remains unclear. The goal of the present study was to examine the potential distinction between motivation and behavior at the self-report level. This study examined how investigator-derived self-report scales of motivation and consumption related to each other, to BMI, and to food liking. Method: This study was a secondary data analysis of data collected as part of the NIH-funded Behavior-Habit Experiment (BBX) conducted by Dr. Kyle Burger at the University of North Carolina. Self-report data collected as a part of the BBX study were used to develop investigator-derived scales of motivation and consumption. Scores for investigator-derived scales were examined in relation to each other to assess the level of overlap between these constructs. These scales were then examined in relation to Body Mass Index (BMI) and food liking (measured through an adapted version of the FCI). Results: There was a strong, statistically significant correlation detected between scales of motivation and consumption (r=.79, p < .001). However, despite detecting a strong correlation, planned correlations between scales of motivation and consumption and simple outcome variables were still conducted. Neither the motivation scale nor the consumption was significantly correlated with BMI and both scales were related to FCI liking scores. Discussion: As the correlation between the constructs of motivation and consumption increases, the degree to which they may be practically differentiated decreases. The results of the present study are in alignment with previous work examining a similar question. It may be the case that, despite a sound theoretical rationale, these constructs are not able to be meaningfully differentiated at the self-report level.
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Details
- Title
- Self-reports of appetitive motivation vs. actual consumption
- Creators
- Edward Alexander Williams
- Contributors
- Michael R. Lowe (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 40 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022058832704721