The effects of experimentally manipulated social status on acute eating behavior: A randomized, crossover pilot study

Abstract

Both subjective and objectively measured social status has been associated with multiple health outcomes, including weight status, but the mechanism for this relationship remains unclear. Experimental studies may help identify the causal mechanisms underlying low social standing as a pathway for obesity. Our objective was to investigate the effects of experimentally manipulated social status on ad libitum acute dietary intakes and stress-related outcomes as potential mechanisms relating social status and weight. This was a pilot feasibility, randomized, crossover study in Hispanic young adults (n=9; age 19–25; 67% female; BMI ≥18.5 and ≤30 kg/m2). At visit 1, participants consumed a standardized breakfast and were randomized to a high social status position (HIGH) or low social status position (LOW) in a rigged game of Monopoly™. The rules for the game differed substantially in terms of degree of ‘privilege’ depending on randomization to HIGH or LOW. Following Monopoly™, participants were given an ad libitum buffet meal and energy intakes (kcal) were estimated by pre- and post-weighing foods consumed. Stress-related markers were measured at baseline, after the game of Monopoly™, and after lunch. Visit 2 used the same standardized protocol; however, participants were exposed to the opposite social status condition. When compared to HIGH, participants in LOW consumed 130 more calories (p=0.07) and a significantly higher proportion of their daily calorie needs in the ad libitum buffet meal (39% in LOW versus 31% in HIGH; p=0.04). In LOW, participants reported decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness following Monopoly™ (p=0.05) and after their lunch meal (p=0.08). Relative to HIGH, participants in LOW demonstrated higher heart rates following Monopoly™ (p=0.06), but this relationship was not significant once lunch was consumed (p=0.31). Our pilot data suggest a possible causal relationship between experimentally manipulated low social status and increased acute energy intakes in Hispanic young adults, potentially influenced by decreased feelings of pride and powerfulness. Increased energy intake over time, resulting in positive energy balance, could contribute to increased risk for obesity, which could partially explain the observed relationship between low social standing and higher weight. Larger and longitudinal studies in a diverse sample need to be conducted to confirm findings, increase generalizability, and assess whether this relationship persists over time.

Mere experience of low subjective socioeconomic status stimulates appetite and food intake

“…Cross-sectional investigations and metaanalysis on the relationship between subjective socioeconomic status and health outcomes have suggested that individuals who report lower levels of subjective socioeconomic status and rank are more likely to be at risk for weight gain, adiposity, diabetes, and overweight/obesity even when controlling for objective indicators of socioeconomic status (11)(12)(13)(14). One pilot feasibility study using a small sample has implied that people placed into disadvantaged social roles subsequently consume more calories, but under circumstances where those in disadvantaged roles are exposed to greater stress and potential aggression from those in dominant roles (15). However, no studies to date have experimentally tested whether the mere psychological experience of low subjective socioeconomic status actually stimulates appetite and caloric intake independent of other risk factors associated with low SES (e.g., low economic/material resources, heightened stress).…”

Larger Than Life: Injecting Hope into the Planetary Health Paradigm

“…Again, this is distinct from mentioning the negative mental health impacts of climate change. In discussions of education and behavior, there is no mention of educating the affluent to understand what it 'feels' like to be in poverty [208][209][210]; this is an upstream step that might incentivize policy makers to more viscerally understand how neoliberal 'behaviors' influence the status quo. Moreover, the term living wage (or even the word 'wage' makes no appearance)-which seems odd given its connection to positive mental health and the healthy behaviors, (including healthy dietary patterns and opportunity for recreation) which planetary health is attempting to promote [211][212][213][214][215][216][217][218].…”

Down to Earth: Planetary Health and Biophilosophy in the Symbiocene Epoch

“…Research on allostatic load informs us that past experiences in the ecological theatre would prime the individual for higher levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in response to stress. Consider that even the mere researcher-invoked feeling of poverty or belonging to an SES "out-group" (in a laboratory setting) is enough to alter dietary choices in the direction of low-nutrient, high-calorie foods [93][94][95].…”