Research paper
Epstein LH, Carr KA, Cavanaugh MD, Paluch RA, Bouton ME. Long-term habituation to food in obese and nonobese women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Aug;94(2):371-6. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.009035. Epub 2011 May 18.
Why we cite it
A randomized trial in 16 obese and 16 nonobese premenopausal women, each given a macaroni and cheese meal five times, either daily for one week or once a week for five weeks. In both groups, daily presentation produced faster habituation and less energy intake than weekly presentation. The authors describe this as ”the first evidence of long-term habituation to food in women”.
About the author
Leonard H. Epstein — SUNY Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University at Buffalo. Researches food reinforcement, the behavioral economics of eating and habituation.
Mark E. Bouton — BA (Williams College, 1975). PhD (University of Washington, 1980). University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Vermont (entire career 1980–2023). Developed the framework for extinction as context-dependent new learning (not erasure of original associations). Characterized the renewal effect. Robert B. Lawson Green & Gold Professor (2011–23). W. Horsley Gantt Medal, Pavlovian Society (2010). Past President, APA Division 6. Fulbright Scholar. Fellow: APA, APS, Society of Experimental Psychologists, Center for Advanced Study in Behavioral Sciences (Stanford). Role on this paper: provided the theoretical framework for habituation/extinction learning.
Katelyn A. Carr — BS Biomedical Sciences + BA Psychology (University at Buffalo, 2008). PhD Neuroscience (University at Buffalo, 2015). At time of paper: early graduate student in Epstein’s lab. Currently Assistant Professor, Division of Behavioral Medicine, UB (2023–).
Rocco A. Paluch — Career statistician/data manager in Epstein’s lab, UB.