The effect of repeated episodic future thinking on the relative reinforcing value of snack food.

Abstract

Obesity is related to delay discounting and relative reinforcing value of food. Episodic future thinking reduces delay discounting after one engagement. The effects of repeated engagement in episodic future thinking are unknown. We explored the effects of daily episodic future thinking on delay discounting, energy intake, and relative reinforcing value of food. Participants completed a delay discounting task, ad libitum buffet, and relative reinforcing value task following one engagement in episodic future thinking/episodic recent thinking and again after 1 week. One week of daily episodic future thinking did not reduce delay discounting compared to one engagement or episodic recent thinking. Engaging in episodic future thinking daily does not impact delay discounting, relative reinforcing value of snack food, or ad lib energy intake compared to one engagement in episodic future thinking.