Women who are motivated to eat and discount the future are more obese

Objective Food reinforcement and delay discounting (DD) independently predict body mass index (BMI), but there is no research studying whether these variables interact to improve prediction of BMI. Methods BMI, the relative reinforcing value of high (PMAX_HED) and low (PMAX_LED) energy dense food, and DD for $10 and $100 future rewards (DD ₁₀, DD₁₀₀) were measured in 199 adult females. Results PMAX_HED (P = 0.017), DD₁₀ (P = 0.003), and DD ₁₀₀ (P = 0.003) were independent predictors of BMI. The interaction of PMAX_LED × DD₁₀ (P = 0.033) and DD₁₀₀ (P = 0.039), and PMAX_HED × DD₁₀ (P = 0.038) and DD₁₀₀ (P = 0.045) increased the variance accounted for predicting BMI beyond the base model controlling for age, education, minority status, disinhibition, and dietary restraint. Based on the regression model, BMI differed by about 2 BMI units for low versus high food reinforcement, by about 3 BMI units for low versus high DD, and by about 4 BMI units for those high in PMAX_HED, but low in DD versus high in PMAX_HED and high in DD. Conclusion Reducing DD may help prevent obesity and improve treatment of obesity in those who are high in food reinforcement.