Interactive effects of reward sensitivity and residential fast-food restaurant exposure on fast-food consumption.
BACKGROUND
Local fast-food environments have been increasingly linked to obesity and related outcomes. Individuals who are more sensitive to reward-related cues might be more responsive to such environments.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to assess the moderating role of sensitivity to reward on the relation between residential fast-food restaurant exposure and fast-food consumption.


METHODS
Four hundred fifteen individuals (49.6% men; mean age: 34.7 y) were sampled from 7 Montreal census tracts stratified by socioeconomic status and French/English language. The frequency of fast-food restaurant visits in the previous week was self-reported. Sensitivity to reward was self-reported by using the Behavioral Activation System (BAS) scale. Fast-food restaurant exposure within 500 m of the participants' residence was determined by using a Geographic Information System. Main and interactive effects of the BAS and fast-food restaurant exposure on fast-food consumption were tested with logistic regression models that accounted for clustering of observations and participants' age, sex, education, and household income.


RESULTS
Regression results showed a significant interaction between BAS and fast-food restaurant exposure (P < 0.001). Analysis of BAS tertiles indicated that the association between neighborhood fast-food restaurant exposure and consumption was positive for the highest tertile (odds ratio: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.84; P < 0.001) but null for the intermediate (odds ratio: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.80, 1.34; P = 0.81) and lowest (odds ratio: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.37; P = 0.49) tertiles.


CONCLUSIONS
Reward-sensitive individuals may be more responsive to unhealthful cues in their immediate environment.
Paquet
Catherine
C
School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. catherine.paquet@unisa.edu.au
Daniel
Mark
M
Knäuper
Bärbel
B
Gauvin
Lise
L
Kestens
Yan
Y
Dubé
Laurette
L
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D003463:Cues; D004032:Diet; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005523:Food Supply / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012147:Restaurants; D012201:Reward