Frequency of consuming foods predicts changes in cravings for those foods during weight loss: The POUNDS Lost Study

Abstract

ObjectiveFood cravings are thought to be the result of conditioning or pairing hunger (or other stimuli) with consumption of certain foods. We hypothesize that changes in the frequency of consuming certain foods will be associated with changes in cravings for those foods.MethodsIn a two‐year weight loss trial, participants were randomized to one of four energy restricted diets (energy deficit 750 kcal/d) that varied in macronutrient content. The Food Craving Inventory (FCI) was used to measure cravings at baseline, 6, and 24 months. Also, food intake was measured at those time points. To measure free‐living consumption of food items measured in the FCI, items on the FCI were matched to the foods consumed at each time point from the food intake assessments. Secondarily, we analyzed the amount (kcal) of food consumed on food intake assessments from foods on the FCI.ResultsA total of 429 participants who were overweight and obese were included in the analyses. There was an association between change from baseline FCI item consumption and the change in cravings at months 6 (B 0.032 ± 0.010; Effect Size (ES) 0.060; p < 0.001) and 24 (B 0.027 ± 0.011; ES 0.043; p < 0.05). However there was no difference between changes at month 6 and 24 (p = 0.65). There was no association between change from baseline amount of energy (kcals) consumed per FCI item and the change in cravings at months 6 and 24 and no difference between changes at months 6 and 24.ConclusionsAltering frequency of consuming craved foods is positively associated with cravings for those food items; however, changing the amount (kcal) of foods consumed does not appear to alter cravings. These results support the conditioning model of food cravings and provides guidance on how to reduce food cravings.Support or Funding InformationNational Institutes of Health HL 073286, RR‐02635, F32 HL123242, P30 DK072476, and U54 GM104940.