Food Reinforcement, Weight Status, and Energy Density

Effects of Daily Snack Food Intake on Food Reinforcement Depend on Weight Status and Energy Density

The investigators previous studies have shown that obese and non-obese individuals respond differently to daily intake of snack food. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these differences are specific to high energy density snack foods. The investigators hypothesized that obese individuals would show an increase in motivation to obtain high energy density snack foods after two weeks of daily consumption, but that non-obese women and obese women consuming low energy density foods would have reduced motivation to consume snack foods after two weeks of daily consumption.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 - 50 years old, female, like study foods.

Exclusion Criteria:

• current smoker, currently on a diet, medical conditions or medication affecting appetite (ex. methylphenidate).