Can fruits and vegetables and activities substitute for snack foods?

This study investigated the choice of snack foods versus fruits and vegetables and enjoyable sedentary behaviors using a computerized behavioral choice task. Thirty-nine participants were provided the choice of earning points for snack foods or fruits and vegetables (Condition 1) or snack foods or enjoyable sedentary behaviors (Condition 2). The behavioral cost to gain access to snacks increased across trials, whereas the behavioral costs to obtain alternatives to snack foods remained constant across trials. Results showed that when costs for snack foods and alternatives were equal, participants chose snack foods, but as the behavioral costs increased, participants shifted choice to the alternatives. The switch point for both alternatives was equal. Results suggest that fruits and vegetables and sedentary activities can substitute for snack foods when the behavioral cost for snack foods is increased.     

Experience and Personality Differences Among Breast- and Bottle-feeding Mothers

Twenty breast-feeding (BF) mothers and twenty artificially feeding (AF) mothers were studied to assess the relationship between different feeding modes and the mother's enjoyment of feeding and her attitude toward and style of weaning the child to a cup. Besides administering a 30-45-minute semi structured interview, a sensation seeking scale and the Multiple Affect Adjective Checklist (MAACL) were administered. Results indicated the BF mothers were higher sensation seekers, more satisfied with the feeding experience, and more ambivalent about weaning than the AF mothers. The BF mothers favored waiting for the child to initiate weaning, and breast-fed males were weaned significantly later than bottle-fed males. It appears that mode of feeding and optimal levels of stimulation are related to how the mother experiences infant feeding, although additional research is warranted.