Hunger-Driven Food Choices: An Experiment to Test the Effect of Proving Pre-Lunch Snack on School Lunch Choices

Children demonstrate a natural ability to self-regulate food intake in response to caloric density cues (Birch et al, 1987). At the same time, however, adult verbal communication may override response to such cues (Ramsay et al, 2010). So while children may be naturally inclined to regulate their hunger, they are also driven by their parents to consume more. Consequently, it appears that children transition from naturally regulating food intake to making more hunger driven choices. For example, a growing literature identifies a physiological response to food deprivation in adults and teenagers which can impact decision making processes and behavior (Nederkoorn et al., 2009). While children are in school, many other factors may also influence their appetite as well. They may not eat breakfast or have a limited breakfast. They may or may not consume a snack which may be unsatiating or insufficient. Further, they have to follow a prescribed schedule of eating which does not allow them to self-regulate their hunger. An important question is how these factors together affect children’s decision making ability regarding their lunch. Specifically, do children’s hunger cues influence their food choices and consumption decisions? The purpose of this research is to examine if providing children with a healthy, nutritious snack has an influence on their lunch-time choices.