A Neuroeconomics Approach to Obesity

Obesity is a heterogeneous condition that is affected by physiological, behavioral, and environmental factors. Value based decision making is a useful framework for integrating these factors at the individual level. The disciplines of behavioral economics and reinforcement learning provide tools for identifying specific cognitive and motivational processes that may contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity. Neuroeconomics complements these disciplines by studying the neural mechanisms underlying these processes. We surveyed recent literature on individual decision characteristics that are most frequently implicated in obesity: discounting the value of future outcomes, attitudes toward uncertainty, and learning from rewards and punishments. Our survey highlighted both consistent and inconsistent behavioral findings. These findings underscore the need to examine multiple processes within individuals to identify unique behavioral profiles associated with obesity. Such individual characterization will inform future studies on the neurobiology of obesity as well as the design of effective interventions that are individually tailored.

Automated summary

Obesity is a complex condition influenced by various factors, and value-based decision making provides a useful framework for understanding it at an individual level. The disciplines of behavioral economics and reinforcement learning help identify specific cognitive and motivational processes related to obesity, while neuroeconomics studies the neural mechanisms underlying these processes. A survey of recent literature on individual decision characteristics related to obesity found consistent and inconsistent behavioral findings, highlighting the need to explore multiple processes within individuals to identify unique behavioral profiles associated with obesity and inform tailored interventions.