Neural basis of approach and avoidance responses to food in 12-month-old infants following emotional state changes.

ABSTRACT: Emotional Eating (EE) behaviours may emerge throughout childhood as a function of maladaptive interoceptive abilities, where eating occurs in response to emotional states rather than to satisfy hunger signals. Genetic and neurobiological factors contribute to EE, indicating that underlying neural mechanisms may precede the manifestation of these behaviours. We examined the neural processes associated with the early development of EE. Twelve-month-old infants attended the lab and ate lunch until satiation before being exposed to a frustration-inducing task. While wearing an EEG cap, infants viewed pictures of liked foods and non-foods. We measured infants' behavioural reactivity to the frustration task, Frontal Alpha Asymmetry (FAA) indicating approach-avoidance responses to food and non-fo

SUBMITTER: Chawner LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12757452 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature