PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
My career goal is to develop an independent research program that utilizes a comprehensive, multi-method
approach to investigate mechanisms by which ultra-processed foods (UPFs) directly contribute to overeating
and obesity. My training as a clinical psychologist has provided me with a strong foundation in understanding
behavioral responses that may contribute to overeating and individual differences in problematic eating
behavior. However, I have had no formal training in biological underpinnings that may drive UPF consumption
and am seeking advanced training in evaluating reward processes and identifying behavioral phenotypes
within obesity. My training plan will build upon my skillsets and expand my knowledge in three areas: 1)
adapting methods used to identify the reinforcing ingredients of rewarding substances to assess which
attributes of UPFs contribute to their high reward potential; 2) investigating biological markers of individual
differences in food reward and physiological and metabolic responses to UPF consumption; and 3) identifying
behavioral phenotypes within obesity in order to better understand differential susceptibility to UPF reward. In
order to achieve these objectives, I will engage in a variety of training activities, guided by my mentorship
team, including regular supervision meetings, directed readings, attendance at classes, seminars, and
scientific conferences, and in-lab methodological training. The proposed study will use a within-subjects design
to address these training goals by evaluating differences in biobehavioral reward responses to UPFs high in
both fat + refined carbohydrates, compared to UPFs high in fat only or refined carbohydrates only or minimally
processed foods. Participants will each attend four food consumption appointments, one for each
aforementioned food type, where subjective indices of reward and metabolic responses will be assessed while
anticipating and eating the food. The present work is the first to elucidate the biological and behavioral
experiences of consuming nutritionally diverse UPFs that may mechanistically contribute to overeating.
Understanding which ingredients in UPFs are most reinforcing and the biobehavioral underpinnings will inform
novel intervention targets for weight management and problematic eating behavior. The environment at the
Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science and state-of-the-art coursework and seminars at Drexel
University are ideal for my training goals. My mentorship team will be led by Dr. Evan Forman (Professor,
Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Director, Center for Weight, Eating, and Lifestyle Science)
and includes training from Dr. Kelly Allison (Professor, Weight and Eating Disorders) in the biological
underpinnings of food reward and Dr. Janet Audrain-McGovern (Professor, Addictions) in methodology used to
assess the reinforcing nature of substances. This interdisciplinary team will facilitate successful implementation
of the proposed research and training plan and the development of an R01 application based on the findings
from the present work.