Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2026
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Anna Kate Edgemon
Second Advisor
Kate Kellum
Third Advisor
Laurel Bradley Lambert
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified obesity as an epidemic over 25 years ago in 1999. This epidemic warrants investigation due to the adverse health outcomes associated with obesity. For example, obesity may increase the likelihood of stroke, some cancers, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes. Previous research evaluating the determinants of obesity indicates increases in the quantity of calories in the food supply may have contributed to this epidemic, among other environmental factors. Health during emerging adulthood sets a trajectory for health across later adulthood. Thus, emerging adulthood presents an important period for improving nutritional knowledge and food selections. The present study builds upon previous research assaying nutritional selections among emerging adults using an approach rooted in behavioral economics. In Part 1 of the study, participants completed preference assessments for high and low-energy-density snack foods. Then, participants completed corresponding commodity purchasing tasks for their high and low preferred snack food in each energy density category. In Part 2, these tasks are completed again with a different selection of foods alongside the Yale Food Addiction Questionnaire. Researchers compared metrics of behavioral demand within group across preference and energy density categories. Findings and implications for future research are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Sevin, Jackson L., "An Evaluation of Behavioral Demand for Various Snack Foods among Undergraduates" (2026). Honors Theses. 3610.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3610