Abstract
Learning theorists suggest extinction learning to be a central mechanism in weight loss success; however, empirical studies are scarce. In this pilot study, it was examined whether individual differences in extinction learning predict outcome after weight loss treatment. Overweight and obese individuals first completed a laboratory conditioning task in which individual differences in extinction learning were assessed. Next, they were randomised to one of two weight loss interventions: cue exposure therapy (CET), which is considered the clinical analogue of laboratory extinction, or a control lifestyle intervention. In line with expectations, better extinction learning in the laboratory task was associated with more weight loss at both post-treatment (CET only) and follow-up (both interventions) measurements. In contrast, two other indices of treatment success (reduction in overeating expectancies and ad libitum food intake during a laboratory taste test) showed no associations with pre-treatment extinction learning. It is suggested that extinction learning may be a core mechanism underlying weight loss success, and hence, an important target for new obesity interventions.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 782-788 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | European Eating Disorders Review |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 6 |
Early online date | 16 Aug 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2020 |
Keywords
- appetitive conditioning
- cue exposure
- extinction
- obesity
- weight loss
- FOOD CUE REACTIVITY
- OVERWEIGHT CHILDREN
- FEAR EXTINCTION
- EXPOSURE
- PREVALENCE
- MODEL
Datasets
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Acquisition and generalization of appetitive responding in obese and healthy weight females
Akker Van Den, K. (Creator), DataverseNL, 4 May 2021
DOI: 10.34894/mcswvi, https://doi.org/10.34894%2Fmcswvi
Dataset