title: Prospect theory and body mass: characterizing psychological parameters for weight-related risk attitudes and weight-gain aversion.
abstract: We developed a novel decision-making paradigm that allows us to apply prospect theory in behavioral economics to body mass. 67 healthy young adults completed self-report measures and two decision-making tasks for weight-loss, as well as for monetary rewards. We estimated risk-related preference and loss aversion parameters for each individual, separately for weight-loss and monetary rewards choice data. Risk-seeking tendency for weight-loss was positively correlated with body mass index in individuals who desired to lose body weight, whereas the risk-seeking for momentary rewards was not. Risk-seeking for weight-loss was correlated to excessive body shape preoccupations, while aversion to weight-gain was correlated with self-reports of behavioral involvement for successful weight-loss. We demonstrated that prospect theory can be useful in explaining the decision-making process related to body mass. Applying prospect theory is expected to advance our understanding of decision-making mechanisms in obesity, which might prove helpful for improving healthy choices.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Missouri - Kansas City Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors: Seung-Lark
authors: SL
authors: Lim
authors: Department of Pediatrics and Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles and Nutrition, University of Kansas Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: Amanda S
authors: AS
authors: Bruce
keywords: decision-making; loss aversion; obesity; prospect theory; risk seeking