Hosted by the School of Psychological Science
Flynn Abstract: Many now claim that ultra-processed foods (UPFs) play a key role in promoting a range of non-communicable diseases, including obesity. However, evidence that UPFs impact energy balance is mainly observational, and only two randomised controlled trials have been conducted to date. Furthermore, this evidential base is often misinterpreted or oversimplified. In this talk, I will argue that humans are not passive consumers. Instead, by drawing on examples from my own work, I will show that they exhibit the hallmarks of an optimal forager and that our intake of UPFs may be rooted in an underlying biology that is adapted to maximising 'energy to satiety ratio'. Here, my work focuses on the metabolic benefits of combining fat and carbohydrate, and how this has promoted the development of 'combo’ foods that are especially rewarding. Finally, I will suggest that to develop effective public health strategies, we need to acknowledge the complex psychological and biological processes supporting our ability to discriminate foods that can maximise energy intake. Moreover, framing UPFs in the context of this 'nutritional intelligence' is helpful because it provides a grounded theoretical basis to understand their potential causal impact on public health.
Khouja Abstract: The number of young people who vape dramatically increased over the last few years. As a result, there has been considerable pressure for the Government to take action to reduce the appeal and accessibility of vapes. Vapes contain chemicals and toxicants that could harm those who use them, but they contain fewer and lower levels of these chemicals and toxicants than cigarettes. They also usually contain nicotine and there is strong evidence that they can help people to stop smoking. Any policy action aiming to reduce the appeal and accessibility of vapes could have the intended consequence of reducing youth vaping, but could unintentionally impact smoking rates, vaping intentions among adults, illicit product use and other nicotine product use. In this talk, Jasmine will discuss some of her research related to these unintended consequences and how she has communicated these issues with policy makers.