Effects of Acute Vaping Abstinence on Hyper-palatable Food Reinforcement and Intake

Introduction: Consistent with the premise of addiction substitution, research suggests that people tend to increase consumption of hyper-palatable foods (HPF) following cessation of combustible tobacco use (i.e., smoking). Although conceptually relevant, it is unclear how cessation of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may affect HPF intake. Cessation- related increases in HPF intake may compromise the maximization of health benefits that a person may achieve following nicotine cessation. Therefore, it is important to understand processes, such as reinforcement, that may contribute to addiction substitution between nicotine and HPF. The aim of the study was to test the effect of 48 hours of nicotine abstinence on the relative reinforcing value of HPF (HPFRRV) among people who use ENDS. A secondary aim was to test the effect of abstinence on HPF intake. Method: Participants (N = 38) who reported daily ENDS use were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions, either 48 hours of ENDS abstinence, or continued use. Participants completed two 24-hour dietary recalls and a behavioral reinforcement task to assess HPFRRV at 48 hours of the experimental condition (abstinence or continued use). During the task, participants worked for portions of HPF, non- HPF, or time with a non-food activity. HPFRRV was operationalized as the proportional breakpoint, or the last reinforcement schedule completed for HPF relative to non-HPF. Results of an apriori power analysis informed a targeted sample size (N = 67). However, the achieved study N was approximately half the targeted sample size (N = 38). Results: Three multiple linear regression models tested the effect of condition on a) HPFRRV, b) mean % of total daily caloric intake from HPF (PercHPF), and c) mean total daily caloric intake from HPF (KcalHPF), controlling for BMI, and gender and menstrual cycle phase. Condition was a significant predictor only for KcalHPF (B = 571.50, SE =193.83, p = .006, η2ₚ = .20), but not HPFRRV (B = .02, SE =.04, p = .611, η2ₚ = .01) or PercHPF (B = .08, SE = .04, p = .065, η2ₚ = .11). Conclusions: Given that the study was substantially underpowered to detect moderate effects, results must be interpreted with caution. However, the study provides a preliminary framework for future research to investigate the potential effect of ENDS abstinence on HPFRRV. Future research with adequate statistical power is needed to understand the potential for changes in motivation for HPF following ENDS abstinence. Results may inform the development of treatment strategies focused on maximizing positive health outcomes following abstinence and reducing possible addiction substitution between nicotine and HPF.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Kansas

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Bjorlie, Kayla

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fazzino, Tera

• Psychology
• Addiction substitution
• Addiction transfer
• E-cigarettes
• Hyper-palatable food
• Nicotine use
• Vaping cessation

Statement dc:rights

• This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

https://www.proquest.com/LegacyDocView/DISSNUM/32114649

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:kuscholarworks.ku.edu:1808/37938