Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 19). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 19). Also available on the Internet.

abstract: This dissertation explores conditions under which food messages backfire among consumers leading them to engage in behaviors that are opposite to what was intended by the messages. The first essay shows when and how food-related warnings can backfire by putting consumers in a state of reactance. Across three studies, I demonstrate that dieters (but not nondieters) who see a one-sided message focusing on the negative aspects of unhealthy food (vs. a one-sided positive or neutral message) increase their desire for and consumption of unhealthy foods. In contrast, dieters who see a two-sided message (focusing on both the negative and positive aspects of unhealthy food) are more likely to comply with the message, thereby choosing fewer unhealthy foods. My research suggests that negatively-worded food warnings (such as PSAs) are unlikely to work – nondieters ignore them, and dieters do the opposite. Although preliminary, the findings also suggest that two-sided messages may offer a better solution. The second essay shows how certain messages advocating for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can backfire by activating consumers’ thoughts about risk of GMOs. Across four studies, I demonstrate that strong anti-GMO (but not weak anti-GMO) consumers who see a pro-GMO message claiming that GMOs are safe for human consumption (vs. a neutral message) perceive higher risk from GMOs, resulting in more unfavorable attitudes toward GMOs and lower intentions to consume GMOs. My research also suggests that a pro-GMO message claiming that GMOs are beneficial will be more effective in persuading both strong and weak anti-GMO consumers. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2016

For chronic dieters, modern food environments make it very difficult to always behave inline with health goals. Approximately 45 million Americans report never fully being off a diet because they fail to reach their weight loss goals. These individuals are colloquially known as chronic dieters but in the food behavior and literature, these people are known as Restrained Eaters. Restrained Eaters are known for the vacillation between food restraint and disinhibition. Past research has demonstrated that one way to keep Restrained Eaters from reach disinhibition is to prevent or weaken their involuntary physical and cognitive responses to external food cues. In a series of three lab studies, this dissertation tests two novel approaches to influencing the behavior of Restrained Eaters when faced with a hedonic food item. The focus of Study 1 is on using Query Theory to test whether there is an effect of endowment on decision and whether thoughts predict decision. We found a significant effect of endowment on the decision of Restrained and Unrestrained Eaters. Study 2 also uses Query Theory but reverse the natural order in which participants generated thoughts and whether that had an effect on decision. In Study 2, we found changing the natural order of thoughts can reverse the effect of endowment. Studies 3 and 4 reanalyze the data from Studies 1 and 2 using Regulatory Focus Theory. In this reanalysis, we found thoughts coded using regulatory focus also predicted behavior. We use the results from this reanalysis to justify Study 5, which is a test of regulatory focus inductions on decision. We found no significant effect of regulatory focus inductions on the decision of Restrained or Unrestrained Eaters. This research aims to develop interventions that will help Restrained Eaters make decisions that are not overshadowed by external cues or instant gratification, giving them a better chance to reach a sought out goal.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that occurs almost exclusively in women, with its prominent features being caloric restriction, excessive exercise, and emaciation. Research has found that women with anorexia nervosa generally have less sexual experience and more negative sexual attitudes when compared to "normal" women. There has been little research, however, on the potential relationship between sexuality and anorexic-like symptoms among women who do not meet diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder. Therefore, this study employed a population of college women to investigate the hypothesis that anorexic-like symptoms would be related to less sexual experience and more negative sexual attitudes. The correlations that were obtained did not support the hypotheses. Results are discussed with regard to directions for future research. / Department of Psychological Science

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to compare dieters' behavior patterns at critical times in the weight-loss process: beginning of treatment, end of treatment, and one year post treatment. Dieters' thoughts, feelings, and actions were assessed after lapses in "high-risk" situations. A review of the extant literature provided insight into the interpersonal, environmental, and intrapersonal risk factors for weight-loss relapse. The Risk For Relapse Questionnaire was developed to assess dieters' probability of relapse. Data were collected by personal interviews. The TFA Clinical Interview was contained in the interview protocol and provided qualitative and quantitative data relevant to each dieter's thoughts, feelings, and actions. A comparison of individual and group thoughts, feelings, and actions contributed to the overall conclusion that the majority of dieters make short-term changes in treatment but return to maladaptive behavior patterns during post weight loss. The results of this study indicate that dieters before and after treatment have the highest probability of relapse, whereas dieters at the end of treatment engage in behaviors conducive to weight-loss maintenance. Dieters at the beginning of treatment were guided by negative feelings leading to impulsivity. positive thinking behavior increased and feelings decreased by the end of treatment. By one year post treatment, 87% of dieters had relapsed and returned to maladaptive behavior. The heavy emphasis on positive actions regardless of negative feelings separated the 13% of weight loss maintainers from relapsers. TFA Systems™ provided a systematic method to evaluate specific thoughts, feelings, and actions relevant to dieters' responses after lapses in "high-risk" situations. Analysis of behavior patterns supported the need for weight-loss programs to require long-term maintenance follow-up. / Ed. D.

Thesis, PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

The goal of this study was to investigate visual sources of nutrition information relied upon by young adults, specifically college-aged students between 18-30, as this is an under-represented population within current academic literature. A sample of more than 700 18- to 30-year-old college students were surveyed regarding their use of nutrition-driven information, with specific questions regarding the participants' awareness and use of the Food and Drug Administration's standardized nutrition facts labels, as well as the use of smartphone applications for tracking one's food and beverage consumption on a regular basis. Using structural equation modeling, a statistically significant theoretical model was developed with regards to individuals finding greater long-term satisfaction in their dieting efforts if they tracked their consumption on a regular basis, with even greater significance being found through the aid of smartphone applications for recording consumption. An analysis of the content of three online diet and exercise-driven brands was also conducted to determine the currently optimal social media platform for nutrition information exchange, and to identify the type of diet-driven information that generates the greatest amount of engagement within an online network. Of the social media platforms analyzed, Instagram proved to be the most optimal for nutrition information-exchange, and that humorous and relevant content shared by dieting brands generated the greatest engagement within their online networks. These studies confirmed that formal visual sources of information, specifically the FDA's nutrition fact labels, are not regularly acknowledged nor implemented within this population, but rather informal visual sources of information, such as content shared across social media channels and the use of smartphone applications, are heavily relied upon when dieting within the young adult population. These research implications are relevant and timely to academics, health professionals, and governmental entities, as they support the need for greater educational endeavors towards increasing the public's nutrition and food literacies, as well as provide an improved strategy for individuals who are dieting through a model for increased satisfaction in one's dieting efforts.