Do social activities substitute for food in youth?

Background: Behavioral economics offers a framework to understand choice among alternatives. There is no research on the interrelationship between food and social activity in overweight and non-overweight children. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to test the substitutability of food and social interactions using behavioral economic methods in overweight and non-overweight youth. Methods: Fifty-four (24 males and 30 females) overweight and non-overweight youth aged 9 to 11 years old were tested using a behavioral choice paradigm which involved participants responding to earn points exchangeable for food and/or social activity. Results: Youth substituted food for social activities when the cost of social time with an unfamiliar peer increased (p < 0.05) and substituted food for social activities with an unfamiliar peer when the cost of food increased (p < 0.05). However, when interacting with a friend was the alternative, participants did not substitute food for social interactions. Conclusions: Social interactions can serve as a substitute for food in both lean and overweight youth.