Effects of food intake and food cue exposure on body and weight satisfaction: The moderating role of body mass index (BMI) and dietary restraint

Abstract

High-calorie intake is associated with changes in state body satisfaction, and is moderated by dietary restraint and body mass index. This implies that food intake signals fear of overeating and weight increase in specific populations. Four experiments addressed aspects of this putative relationship by direct manipulation of energy intake and exposure to food cues. This enabled determination of whether digestive or cognitive factors cause changes in body and weight satisfaction. Females were randomly allocated either to food versus non-food conditions, or to low-calorie versus high-calorie food cue exposure. Results: Study 1. Body satisfaction decreased after lunch intake compared to control, an effect more pronounced for overweight than lean participants. Study 2. Consumption of a disguised soup-load increased body satisfaction for overweight but decreased body satisfaction for lean participants; weight satisfaction decreased for lean participants. Study 3. Restrained eaters showed decreased body satisfaction after both cue exposure conditions compared to unrestrained eaters. Restrained eaters showed decreased weight satisfaction after high-calorie, compared to low-calorie exposure, in which weight satisfaction increased. Study 4. Body and weight satisfaction increased in lean unrestrained eaters after both exposure conditions; body and weight satisfaction decreased in overweight restrained eaters after low-calorie exposure and increased after high-calorie exposure. Findings partially support both digestive and cognitive influences on body and weight satisfaction, moderated by body mass index and restraint.