Low Childhood Socioeconomic Status Promotes Eating in the Absence of Energy Need

Life-history theory predicts that exposure to conditions typical of low socioeconomic status (SES) during childhood will calibrate development in ways that promote survival in harsh and unpredictable ecologies. Guided by this insight, the current research tested the hypothesis that low childhood SES...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological science 2016-03, Vol.27 (3), p.354-364
Main Authors: Hill, Sarah E., Prokosch, Marjorie L., DelPriore, Danielle J., Griskevicius, Vladas, Kramer, Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Childhood
Children & youth
Energy
Energy Intake
Feeding Behavior - psychology
Female
Food
Humans
Insight
Low income groups
Male
Poverty - psychology
Snacks
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomic status
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
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Summary:Life-history theory predicts that exposure to conditions typical of low socioeconomic status (SES) during childhood will calibrate development in ways that promote survival in harsh and unpredictable ecologies. Guided by this insight, the current research tested the hypothesis that low childhood SES will predict eating in the absence of energy need. Across three studies, we measured (Study 1) or manipulated (Studies 2 and 3) participants' energy need and gave them the opportunity to eat provided snacks. Participants also reported their SES during childhood and their current SES. Results revealed that people who grew up in high-SES environments regulated their food intake on the basis of their immediate energy need; they ate more when their need was high than when their need was low. This relationship was not observed among people who grew up in low-SES environments. These individuals consumed comparably high amounts of food when their current energy need was high and when it was low. Childhood SES may have a lasting impact on food regulation.
ISSN:0956-7976
1467-9280
DOI:10.1177/0956797615621901