Parsing the link between reinforcement sensitivity theory and eating behavior: A systematic review. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weydmann, Gibson; Souzedo, Flávia Bellesia; Tavares, Patrice; Corrêa, Luciana; Heidrich, Heiner; Holland, Heitor; Bizarro, Lisiane
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 134(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Reinforcement sensitivity theory -- Eating behaviors -- BMI -- Self-reported eating measures -- Food-Cue reactivity; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104525
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Highlights: RST personality factors are associated with many outcomes of eating behavior. We parsed the relationship between RST and eating behavior measures. The association between BMI and reward sensitivity is not linear. Punishment sensitivity seems specifically related to eating pathology symptoms. Reward sensitivity correlates with eating phenotypes and reactivity to food cues. Abstract: The Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) is a widely studied psychobiological model of personality. RST factors seem to influence eating behavior, but how these personality traits are associated with distinct features of eating behavior is still unclear. In the present systematic review, we analyzed the relationship between RST personality factors and eating behavior using a parsing approach in which BMI-related results, self-reported results, and behavioral results were distinguished. Our analysis revealed that reward and punishment sensitivity seem to correlate and influence distinct features of eating behavior. The association between BMI and RST factors was uncertain, but nonlinear associations between reward sensitivity and weight need further testing. Reward sensitivity was linked to most eating behavior phenotypes (e.g., emotional eating and restrained eating), but only punishment sensitivity was primarily correlated with eating pathology. Reward sensitivity was the main factor linked with reactivity to food stimuli on many behavioral measures. The neurobiological personality factors of RST offer parsimonious concepts to understand eating behavior outcomes and the differential relationships observed are useful to translational research.