title: Approach avoidance training in the eating domain: testing the effectiveness across three single session studies.
abstract: Dual-process models propose that impulsive behavior plays a key role in the development and maintenance of maladaptive eating patterns. Research outside the eating domain suggests that approach avoidance training, a paradigm which aims to modify automatic behavioral dispositions toward critical stimuli, is an effective tool to weaken unhealthy impulses. The present research tested the effectiveness of approach avoidance training in the eating domain. We conducted three single session studies with varying methodologies in a normal-weight female student population (total N = 258), in which one group was always trained to avoid pictures of unhealthy food and to approach pictures of healthy food or neutral objects. We found no conclusive evidence that approach avoidance training can change participants' implicit and explicit food preferences and eating behavior. We discuss the potential and the limitations of approach avoidance training in the eating domain and provide suggestions for future research avenues.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: d.becker@uva.nl.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nils B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Jostmann
authors.affiliation: Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT)-Laboratory, Developmental Psychology Research Program, University of Amsterdam, 1018XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Reinout W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Wiers
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam, 1018XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, 6500HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rob W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D058870:Food, Organic; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Approach avoidance training; Automatic behavior regulation; Eating behavior; Food choice; Intervention