Center for Childhood Obesity Research, The Pennsylvania State University, 129 Noll Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, United States; Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, 211 Henderson South, University Park, PA 16802, United States.
Appetite. 2014 Jan;72:21-7. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.09.018. Epub 2013 Sep 30.
Progressive ratio (PR) schedules of reinforcement have been used to measure the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of food in humans as young as 8 years old; however, developmentally appropriate measures are needed to measure RRV of food earlier in life. Study objectives were to demonstrate the validity of the RRV of food task adapted for use among for preschool children (3-5 y), and examine individual differences in performance. Thirty-three children completed the RRV of food task in which they worked to access graham crackers. They also completed a snack task where they had free access these foods, liking and hunger assessments, and their heights and weights were measured. Parents reported on their child's reward sensitivity. Overall, children were willing work for palatable snack foods. Boys and older children made more responses in the task, while children with higher BMI z-scores and reward sensitivity responded at a faster rate. Children who worked harder in terms of total responses and response rates consumed more calories in the snack session. This study demonstrates that with slight modifications, the RRV of food task is a valid and developmentally appropriate measure for assessing individual differences in food reinforcement among very young children.
递增比率（PR）强化时间表已被用于衡量人类中 8 岁以下儿童食物的相对强化价值（RRV）；然而，需要制定适合发展阶段的措施来更早地衡量生命早期的食物 RRV。研究目的是证明适用于学龄前儿童（3-5 岁）的食物 RRV 任务的有效性，并研究表现的个体差异。33 名儿童完成了食物 RRV 任务，他们努力获取全麦饼干。他们还完成了一项零食任务，在该任务中，他们可以自由获取这些食物，对食物的喜好和饥饿感进行评估，并测量他们的身高和体重。父母报告了他们孩子的奖励敏感性。总体而言，儿童愿意食用美味的零食。男孩和年龄较大的儿童在任务中做出了更多反应，而 BMI z 分数较高和奖励敏感性较高的儿童反应速度更快。在总反应次数和反应速度方面表现更努力的儿童在零食时间消耗的卡路里更多。这项研究表明，稍加修改，食物 RRV 任务是一种有效且适合发展阶段的衡量非常年幼儿童食物强化个体差异的方法。
