Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Behavioral Analysis

First Advisor

Jonathan K. Fernand

Second Advisor

Vida L. Tyc

Third Advisor

Elbert Blakely

Fourth Advisor

Kimberly N. Sloman

Abstract

Obesity is a significant public health concern, with overeating as a primary contributor. Despite national nutrition initiatives, most Americans consume inadequate amounts of fruits and vegetables while exceeding recommended portions of calorie-dense foods. Understanding food groups and recommended portion sizes of each may be a prerequisite skill for a health initiative aimed at weight loss. Given that environmental and behavioral factors influence eating behaviors, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) offers an evidence-based framework for improving nutritional habits through self-management interventions. This study examined the effects of self-management components on portion control within a natural eating environment. Four adult participants, one male and three females, participated in this study. The results of this study showed that, when using an add-in component analysis, written instructions and self-monitoring, without goal setting and self-evaluation, were ineffective in improving both the accuracy of plating each food group per meal and the consumption of each food group at the appropriate portion size during each meal. However, when self-monitoring was combined with goal setting and self-evaluation, all participants met national nutrition standards set by MyPlate for both plating and portion size consumption. Findings suggest that ABA-based nutritional interventions can be effective in promoting independent and sustainable improvements in portion control and nutritional decision-making. Additionally, the add-in component analysis highlighted the most effective and efficient self-management treatment package needed to monitor compliance with the MyPlate curriculum.

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