Delay Discounting Mechanisms in Eating Disorders

Presenter Information

Rowan CrowderFollow

Class

Article

Graduation Year

2017

College

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Department

Psychology Department

Faculty Mentor

Gregory Madden

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Abstract

Delay discounting, or temporal discounting, is a measure of impulsivity that describes the devaluation of a reinforcer as a function of its receipt over time. Several studies have shown that individuals diagnosed with a variety of behavioral maladies such as obesity/over-eating, substance abuse, and ADHD exhibit greater discounting rates. To be specific, they are more impulsive and less willing to wait for delayed reinforcement than healthy controls. Several studies have found that obese women discount at a steeper rate than non-obese women. The relationship between discounting and other topics relating to food and eating is well documented in the literature. However, after extensive literature review only two articles pertaining to delay discounting and its implications in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder were found. The following is an exploratory paper analyzing and discussing the possible implications and relationships between characteristics of delay discounting and eating disorders seen in the current literature. Several of the observed relationships found in the literature may warrant further investigation to help in our understanding of eating disorders and possible novel treatments. A number of studies have shown that delay discounting can be reduced. If there is additional evidence of delay discounting in eating disorders, it may be possible to develop novel and effective therapeutic techniques to decrease discounting rates seen in these disorders.

Location

Room 101

Start Date

4-13-2017 1:30 PM

End Date

4-13-2017 2:45 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 13th, 1:30 PM Apr 13th, 2:45 PM

Delay Discounting Mechanisms in Eating Disorders

Room 101

Delay discounting, or temporal discounting, is a measure of impulsivity that describes the devaluation of a reinforcer as a function of its receipt over time. Several studies have shown that individuals diagnosed with a variety of behavioral maladies such as obesity/over-eating, substance abuse, and ADHD exhibit greater discounting rates. To be specific, they are more impulsive and less willing to wait for delayed reinforcement than healthy controls. Several studies have found that obese women discount at a steeper rate than non-obese women. The relationship between discounting and other topics relating to food and eating is well documented in the literature. However, after extensive literature review only two articles pertaining to delay discounting and its implications in eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder were found. The following is an exploratory paper analyzing and discussing the possible implications and relationships between characteristics of delay discounting and eating disorders seen in the current literature. Several of the observed relationships found in the literature may warrant further investigation to help in our understanding of eating disorders and possible novel treatments. A number of studies have shown that delay discounting can be reduced. If there is additional evidence of delay discounting in eating disorders, it may be possible to develop novel and effective therapeutic techniques to decrease discounting rates seen in these disorders.