Novel Methodological Considerations Regarding the Use of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Questionnaires to Assess Appetite Control and Satiety

Abstract

BackgroundVAS questionnaires are commonly used in appetite research to measure postprandial changes in hunger and fullness as markers of subsequent food intake. The current prevalence of smartphone usage provides an opportunistic platform to assess these questions. However, little is known with respect to whether the repetitive use of these questionnaires influence eating behavior or whether novel modifications in their delivery are warranted.ObjectivesTo compare VAS appetite and satiety questionnaires delivered through a smartphone application vs. a commonly used computerized program and to test whether the use of these questionnaires alter subsequent eating behavior.MethodsTwelve healthy young adults (age: 22±1 y; BMI: 22.1±0.9 kg/m2) completed the following randomized crossover design study. On five separate days, the participants came to the facility between 7–9 am and were placed in a room that was void of all time cues. Within 30 min after arrival, they were provided with a 130 kcal preload breakfast containing 30 g protein. During four of the five testing days, the participants completed VAS questionnaires (hunger, fullness, desire to eat, prospective food consumption) every 30 min for 4h using the respective appetite applications (ScaleKit) on an iPod Touch (Apple; Cupertino, CA) or netbook computer application (AVAS; Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory and Clinic; San Antonio, TX). At the end of the 4h periods, the participants were provided with an ad libitum pasta meal to consume until ‘comfortably full.’ To examine the influence of VAS assessment on subsequent eating behavior, no questionnaires were provided over the 4h period on one of the five testing days.ResultsNo differences in 4h postprandial hunger, fullness, desire to eat, or prospective food consumption were observed between the smartphone application and the computer program. Additionally, no differences in energy content consumed at the subsequent eating occasions were observed between the days that included the VAS questionnaires (484 ± 50 kcal) vs. no questionnaires (500 ± 53 kcal).ConclusionsThe use of a newly developed VAS smartphone application provides similar measures of reported appetite and satiety compared to a previously validated computer program and the use of VAS questionnaires does not influence subsequent eating behavior.Support or Funding InformationInternal Funds