A new study explores why Thais and people worldwide reach for high-calorie snacks during uncertain times. The research suggests an ancient survival instinct for potential food shortages still guides visual attention and cravings for junk food. Experts say this pattern is shaped by long-term pressures, not just today’s stress. Data from the study are discussed in health and psychology outlets, reflecting global concerns about economy, disasters, and post-pandemic recovery.
Lead investigators from a psychology program and the Evolutionary Visual Lab conducted eye-tracking experiments to observe automatic food interest under different imagined scenarios. Unlike early surveys, this study measures real-time visual responses to food images, offering a direct look at attention and desirability in various contexts.
The experiment involved 142 university students who were divided into groups and exposed to imagined worlds: a stable, resource-rich environment; an economically unstable setting with job losses and foreclosures; and a dangerous, crime-focused scenario. Afterwards, participants viewed paired pictures of high- and low-calorie foods while researchers tracked eye fixation speed and duration.
Across all groups, high-calorie foods captured attention quickly and held gaze longer. These foods were rated as more desirable overall, independent of hunger or economic background. A key nuance emerged: individuals who expected future food scarcity showed amplified cravings for calorie-dense foods when exposed to economic uncertainty, evident in both gaze duration and desirability ratings.
In the safe-scenario group, anticipation of scarcity slightly increased interest in low-calorie options, suggesting that signals of resource abundance can reduce the urge for energy-dense foods. The violent-prime condition did not produce the same effect, indicating that stress cues influence eating behavior differently.
Experts explain that evolutionary perspectives view eating behavior as adaptive in harsh environments. When resources feel uncertain, prioritizing energy-dense options historically supported survival. Researchers note that safety cues—perceived resource availability—can dampen the drive for rich foods by easing future insecurity.
The study aligns with the “insurance hypothesis,” which posits that fear of future scarcity pushes people to seek immediate energy reserves even when food is accessible. It also fits with life history theory, describing how organisms adjust behavior in response to environmental unpredictability, often favoring short-term rewards.
Thai nutritionists and psychologists report similar patterns locally. Thailand’s rapid urbanization and periodic economic shocks—such as past financial crises and pandemic job losses—have seen increases in stress-related eating and junk-food consumption. A senior public health official at Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health notes a rise in emotional eating during national uncertainty, often linked to sugary, salty, and fatty snacks. This mirrors the study’s conclusion that both perceived scarcity and real deprivation can trigger cravings for unhealthy choices.
Thailand’s dietary landscape blends abundant fresh ingredients with growing popularity of processed snacks. In major cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, high-calorie Western and local comfort foods have become prominent among youth and students. The focus on a young, urban sample suggests relevance to Thailand’s current dietary realities.
The research warns that automatic craving patterns persist beyond conscious control. Even after accounting for hunger and economic status, exposure to scarcity cues can steer choices toward unhealthy foods. In Thailand, where obesity and type 2 diabetes pose public health challenges—particularly in rural areas affected by drought or flooding—public health strategies must consider these deep-rooted drives and media messaging.
Future work may study eye movements in real-world settings such as markets or convenience stores, using wearable tech to capture daily choices amid economic news or advertisements. Researchers also plan to explore how social comparisons influence eating behavior, potentially revealing how same-sex competition cues affect food decisions.
With rising obesity and diabetes in Thailand, these findings serve as a timely reminder: in times of uncertainty, subconscious evolutionary drives can override health intentions. Policymakers can respond with clearer public messaging, supportive food assistance for vulnerable groups, and nutrition education that acknowledges these psychological drivers.
For readers, practical guidance includes mindful eating, stocking healthier snack options, seeking emotional support, and limiting exposure to negative news. Community leaders and health agencies should weave this understanding into nutrition campaigns in schools and workplaces to foster healthier choices during turbulent periods.
Ultimately, recognizing the power of ancient instincts can guide compassionate, culturally attuned health strategies for Thai society, especially in uncertain times.
In-text attributions and context are drawn from ongoing discussions in nutrition science and public health, with observations grounded in Thailand’s public health data and the broader global literature on eating behavior and evolutionary psychology.