Food Cravings Research Articles

Behavioral, psychological, and environmental predictors of weight regain in a group of successful weight losers in a widely available weight-management program.

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of weight regain and continued weight maintenance among individuals already successful at long-term weight loss in a widely available weight-management program. Participants were 2843 weight-loss maintainers in WeightWatchers who had maintained weight loss ≥9.1 kg for ≥1 year (average 25.5 kg for 3.5 years; BMI = 26.7 kg/m2 ). Validated behavioral, psychosocial, and home environmental questionnaires were administered at study entry and 1 year later. Discriminant analysis identified variables that discriminated gainers (≥2.3-kg gain) from maintainers (±2.3-kg change). Over the 1 year of follow-up, 43% were gainers (mean [SD], 7.2 [5.4] kg), and 57% were maintainers (0.4 [1.2] kg). Compared with maintainers, gainers were younger and had higher initial weight, more recent weight losses, and larger initial weight losses. Standardized canonical coefficients indicated that the 1-year changes that most discriminated gainers from maintainers were greater decreases in the ability to accept uncomfortable food cravings, urges, and desires to overeat (0.232); self-monitoring (0.166); body image (0.363); and body satisfaction (0.194) and greater increases in disinhibition (0.309) and bodily pain (0.147). The canonical correlation was 0.505 (p < 0.001). Future interventions to prevent regain should consider targeting overeating in response to internal and external food cues and declines in self-monitoring and body image.

FRI064 The Role Of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists In The Treatment Of Pituitary And Hypothalamic Tumor Induced Obesity

Abstract Disclosure: C.S. Botero Suarez: None. D. Broutin: None. H. Yau: None. Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) act by stimulating the GLP-1 receptor resulting in a reduction in food intake, increased energy expenditure, and improved glycemic control. The role of GLP1-RA in pituitary/suprasellar tumors causing hyperphagia and hypothalamic obesity is yet unknown. We present a case of a patient with a large non-functional pituitary mass resulting in severe hyperphagia and hypothalamic obesity. A trial of GLP-1RA showed significant improvement of hyperphagia. Case Description: A 30-year-old African American male is seen in the Endocrinology clinic. He was recently diagnosed with a non-functional pituitary mass 2 months prior, after a presentation of hyperphagia, significant weight gain, and altered personality changes causing significant social distress. He underwent transsphenoidal pituitary resection which resulted in postoperative hypopituitarism. His physical exam showed normal vital signs, a weight of 185 lbs, and a BMI of 25. His medications included hydrocortisone total of 15 mg daily, desmopressin 0.1mg daily, levothyroxine 137mcg daily, and risperidone 1mg daily. A brain MRI showed postoperative changes depicted by a T1 hyperintensity within the sella as well as T2 hyperintensity of the chiasm and hypothalamus indicating edema and a mass effect. Based on his presentation of marked hyperphagia and rapid weight gain with suggestive imaging, the clinical diagnosis of hypothalamic obesity was made. Further follow-up revealed a rapid weight gain of 45 lbs in 2 months, a worsening glycemic control, and a HbA1C of 7.2% compared to a HbA1C of 5.4% in his prior visit. Lab work showed a TSH of 0.017 mlU/mL, fT4 of 1.4ng/dL, prolactin 3.94 ng/mL, alpha subunit of 0.1 ng/mL (reference 0.1-0.5 ng/mL), ACTH of 15 pg/mL, morning cortisol of &amp;lt; 3 ug/dL. Given the significant metabolic consequences of his marked hyperphagia, related weight gain, and new onset of diabetes, the patient was started on semaglutide 0.5mg weekly and later up-titrated to 1mg weekly. There was marked improvement of hyperphagia, and his weight remained neutral at the 3-month follow-up. Discussion: Hyperphagia is a rare presentation of sellar and suprasellar tumors and can lead to hypothalamic obesity. Tumors can affect the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, which is a key regulator of energy homeostasis and is regulated by orexigenic (AgRP/NPY) and anorexigenic neurons (POMC/CART). GLP-1R agonists, have shown to cause significant weight loss due to decreased gastric emptying and stimulating POMC/CART neurons, but they also inhibit neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP), leading to reduced hunger, energy intake, and food cravings. Although the clinical role of GLP1-RA in pituitary tumors with significant hyperphagia is unknown, we believe early initiation can help avoid a rapid progression of obesity and glycemic deterioration. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Higher visceral adipose tissue is associated with decreased memory suppression ability on food-related thoughts: A 1-year prospective ERP study

Memory about food and eating is crucial in regulating appetite and eating behaviors. Successfully stopping vivid imagination of delicious food could help reduce food craving and thus reduce the possibility of further intake. Memory inhibition is a cognitive process that involves intentional suppression of certain memories coming to consciousness. Successful memory suppression derives from inhibitory control. Although considerable work has consistently observed the impairment in motor or response inhibitory control among individuals with obesity, there has been a lack of investigation into the influence of bodyweight status on memory inhibitory control. To fill this gap, current study investigated behavioral and neurophysiological correlates of memory suppression in young women. Using Think/No-Think task and event-related potentials among 47 females, we found that participants with higher visceral adipose tissue (VAT) showed a tendency towards decreased suppression ability for memories related to food but not memories related to nonfood items. In depth analysis showed that decrease in the differences in P2 amplitudes between suppression vs. retrieval of food-related memories mediated the impairment of suppression ability by high VAT. We then tested whether individual differences in memory suppression ability as well as ERP correlates predicted future BMI or VAT change over 1-year follow-up. Results showed that P2 amplitudes when retrieving food-related memory could predict VAT change at 1-year follow-up among participants with healthy BMI. These observations suggest a hypersensitivity inference hypothesis underlying memory control impairments. To be specific, deficits in memory suppression may be in part resulted from elevated sensitivity to the cues coupling with food-related memory. It extends previous studies of memory suppression with food rewards and provides the first evidence to help understand the relationship between inhibitory control on food-related memory and obesity.

FRI005 Appetite Response To Short-term Energy Restriction In Young Healthy Women

Abstract Disclosure: G.E. Choi: None. C. Okigbo: None. J. Tessa Tonleu: None. S. Shekhar: None. H.F. Leka: None. A.E. Kim: None. B. Purse: None. K.R. Hisch: None. A.E. Smith-Ryan: None. J.E. Hall: None. Short-term caloric restriction, also referred to as energy restriction (ER), is commonly used by women across the weight spectrum to address their weight or health. Chronic ER is associated with increased appetite, but the relationship is poorly characterized in short-term ER or in the absence of obesity. We investigated the impact of controlled short-term ER on appetite and relevant hormone mediators in young women. In the early follicular phase of two menstrual cycles, 19 healthy non-obese women aged 23.36 ± 2.08 years (mean ± SD) with a BMI of 23.15 ± 2.34 kg/m2 (mean ± sem) underwent two five-day diet and exercise interventions: neutral energy availability (NEA) = 45 kcal/kg lean body mass (LBM)/day and deficient energy availability (DEA) = 20 kcal/kg LBM/day. On day 5 of both interventions, a visual analog scale (VAS) appetite questionnaire, body weight, fasting leptin and orexin-A were measured. We used paired t-tests for comparisons of changes from NEA to DEA. Principal-component factor analysis divided VAS items into appetite, satiety, and hunger (Cronbach alphas &amp;gt;0.80). We utilized linear regression models to determine how changes (Δ) in body weight, leptin, and orexin-A affect appetite, satiety, hunger, and cravings. From NEA to DEA, appetite and hunger increased (55% vs 76%; p&amp;lt;0.001 and 52% vs 71%; p&amp;lt;0.001, respectively), while satiety and cravings decreased (42% vs 19%; p &amp;lt;0.01 and 49% to 38%; p&amp;lt;0.01, respectively). DEA resulted in a weight loss of 1.0±0.22 kg (p&amp;lt;0.001), a decrease in leptin of 3.13±0.95 ng/ml, p=0.002), and increased orexin-A (0.06±0.02 ng/ml, p=0.018). Δ body weight was positively associated with Δ leptin (p=0.001) but not Δ orexin-A. When adjusting for leptin and orexin-A, increased appetite was associated with weight loss (p=0.011). Δ satiety was independently correlated with Δ body weight (p=0.002) and Δ leptin (p=0.033). Δ hunger was positively correlated with Δ body weight (p=0.043), independent of Δ orexin-A). Δ leptin, orexin-A, or body weight did not correlate with Δ craving. Thus, even in non-obese women, short-term ER results in a profound effect on homeostatic mechanisms designed to maintain weight; increased appetite and decreased satiety are mediated by even a minor degree of weight loss, both independently and through decreased leptin. It is likely that changes in ghrelin also contribute to these adaptations to ER, however it was not measured in this study for technical reasons. Interestingly, the effect of short-term ER on specific food cravings is overwhelmed by the overall increase in appetite. Presentation: Friday, June 16, 2023

Genetic Correlates as a Predictor of Bariatric Surgery Outcomes after 1 Year.

This study analyzed genetic risk assessments in patients undergoing bariatric surgery to serve as a predictive factor for weight loss parameters 1 year after the operation. Thirty (30) patients were assessed for Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS), which analyzes neurogenetic polymorphisms involved in addiction and reward deficiency. Genetic and psychosocial data collected before the operation were correlated with weight loss data, including changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), and percent of expected weight loss (%EWL). Results examined correlations between individual gene risk alleles, 1-year body weight data, and psychosocial trait scores. Spearman's correlations revealed that the OPRM1 (rs1799971) gene polymorphism had significant negative correlation with 1-year weight (rs = -0.4477, p < 0.01) and BMI (rs = -0.4477, p < 0.05). In addition, the DRD2 risk allele (rs1800497) was correlated negatively with BMI at 1 year (rs = -0.4927, p < 0.05), indicating that one risk allele copy was associated with lower BMI. However, this allele was positively correlated with both ∆Weight (rs = 0.4077, p < 0.05) and %EWL (rs = 0.5521, p < 0.05) at 1 year post-surgery. Moreover, the overall GARS score was correlated with %EWL (rs = 0.4236, p < 0.05), ∆Weight (rs = 0.3971, p < 0.05) and ∆BMI (rs = 0.3778, p < 0.05). Lastly, Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ) scores were negatively correlated with %EWL (rs = -0.4320, p < 0.05) and ∆Weight at 1 year post-surgery (rs = -0.4294, p < 0.05). This suggests that individuals with a higher genetic addiction risk are more responsive to weight loss treatment, especially in the case of the DRD2 polymorphism. These results should translate clinically to improve positivity and attitude related to weight management by those individuals born with the risk alleles (rs1800497; rs1799971).

Cultural Influences on African Migrant Pregnant and Postnatal Women's Dietary Behaviours and Nutrition Support Needs in the UK.

Black women in the UK face significantly higher risks of overweight and obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to women from other ethnic groups. Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in influencing the health outcomes of women and their children, especially during preconception and pregnancy. Cultural and environmental factors significantly influence the dietary experiences of African women after migration. This study explored the unique nutrition-related challenges faced by African migrant pregnant and postnatal women in the UK, and their nutrition support needs. Interviews were conducted with 23 African migrant women living in the UK, who were either pregnant or had a pregnancy within the past 3 years. These were analysed thematically, resulting in five overarching themes: food rituals and beliefs, pregnancy cravings, limited access to culturally appropriate food, limited access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based nutritional guidance, and the focus on healthy weight. The study identified challenges that African migrant women face in balancing their cultural heritage with the UK food environment and dietary recommendations, including potential implications on their health and pregnancy outcomes. It emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges through culturally sensitive approaches and tailored interventions, to enable informed decision making and enhance health outcomes for these women.

Predictors of neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder: An exploratory study.

Knowledge on predictors for treatment response to psychotherapy in binge-eating disorder (BED) is mixed and not yet available for increasingly popular neurofeedback (NF) treatment targeting self-regulation of aberrant brain activity. This study examined eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for NF treatment success in BED. Patients with BED (N = 78) were randomized to 12 sessions of real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF, targeting individual prefrontal cortex signal up-regulation, electroencephalography (EEG)-NF, targeting down-regulation of fronto-central beta activity, or waitlist (WL). The few studies assessing predictors for clinical outcomes after NF and evidenced predictors for psychotherapy guided the selection of baseline eating disorder-related predictors, including objective binge-eating (OBE) frequency, eating disorder psychopathology (EDP), food cravings, and body mass index (BMI), and general psychopathology-related predictors, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and self-efficacy. These questionnaire-based or objectively assessed (BMI) predictors were regressed on outcomes OBE frequency and EDP as key features of BED at post-treatment (t1) and 6-month follow-up (t2) in preregistered generalized mixed models (https://osf.io/4aktp). Higher EDP, food cravings, and BMI predicted worse outcomes across all groups at t1 and t2. General psychopathology-related predictors did not predict outcomes at t1 and t2. Explorative analyses indicated that lower OBE frequency and higher self-efficacy predicted lower OBE frequency, and lower EDP predicted lower EDP after the waiting period in WL. Consistent with findings for psychotherapy, higher eating disorder-related predictors were associated with higher EDP and OBE frequency. The specificity of psychopathological predictors for NF treatment success warrants further examination. This exploratory study firstly assessed eating disorder- and psychopathology-related predictors for neurofeedback treatment outcome in binge-eating disorder and overweight. Findings showed an association between higher eating disorder symptoms and worse neurofeedback outcomes, indicating special needs to be considered in neurofeedback treatment for patients with a higher binge-eating disordersymptom burden. In general, outcomes and assignment to neurofeedback treatment may be improved upon consideration of baseline psychological variables.

Premenstrual syndrome symptoms in women of reproductive age – a preliminary report

Abstract: Most women experience at least one or more psychosomatic symptoms before their period, which are characteristic of premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder.Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether and to what extent women of childbearing age experience PMS and what is involved.Material and methods: The study was conducted between February and June 2019 at the Medical University of Lublin and the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, and at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic in Świdnik, among 252 women of reproductive age, aged 20-35. The paper uses the method of diagnostic survey, using its own questionnaire and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale.Results: About half (45.2%) of the women had moderate severity of symptoms. In contrast, 40.5% of the respondents had no premenstrual syndrome symptoms (0.4%) or only mild symptoms (40.1%). The most common category of symptoms was physical symptoms, including the most common breast tenderness and swelling (52.8%), skin lesions (44%), and cravings for products with added salt and sugar (40.9%). The level of education of the women studied differentiated the perception of PMS symptoms (p = 0.001). The severity of the syndrome was not related to age (p = 0.097), physical activity (p = 0.054), dietary habits (p = 0.650), and vitamin D (p = 0.159) and B (p = 0.458) supplementation.Conclusions: The vast majority of women experience at least one symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Almost half of them have moderate premenstrual symptoms. The most common category of symptoms includes physical symptoms, especially breast tenderness and swelling, skin changes, and cravings for foods with added salt/sugar. Women's level of education makes a difference to their perception of PMS symptoms. The severity of the syndrome does not depend on age, physical activity, dietary habits or vitamin D and B supplementation.Keywords: menstrual cycle, premenstrual syndrome, dysphoric premenstrual disorder

Motives and food craving: Associations with frequency of hyper-palatable food intake among college students

BackgroundCollege food environments provide wide access to hyper-palatable foods (HPF). Palatable eating motives and craving are individual factors that may impact HPF intake. Nevertheless, no study to date has examined the relationship between these factors and frequency of HPF intake in a dormitory all-you-can-eat-style cafeteria meal, a typical college food setting. MethodsCollege students (N = 218) self-reported frequency of HPF intake at a college cafeteria meal and their frequency of HPF intake in the overall diet. Quasipoisson and logistic regression models tested whether palatable eating motives (assessed via the Palatable Eating Motives Scale) and craving (assessed via the Food Craving Inventory) were associated with the rate of HPF intake during the cafeteria meal and excess frequency of HPF intake in the overall diet. ResultsCraving was associated with a 19% higher rate of HPF intake during the cafeteria meal (RR = 1.19; p = .015) and a >2-fold higher likelihood of excess frequency of HPF intake the overall diet (OR = 2.69; p < .001). Coping motive was associated with an 87% higher likelihood of excess frequency of HPF intake in the overall diet (OR = 1.87; p = .002), but not in the cafeteria meal. Reward enhancement, social and conformity motives were not significantly associated with the frequency of HPF intake in either setting. ConclusionsResults highlight the role of craving and coping motive in the frequency of HPF intake among college students. Prevention efforts may consider targeting craving and eating to cope to potentially address frequency of HPF intake among college students.

Emotional eating: elusive or evident? Integrating laboratory, psychometric and daily life measures

PurposeEmotional eating (EE) refers to eating in response to (negative) emotions. Evidence for the validity of EE is mixed: some meta-analyses find EE only in eating disordered patients, others only in restrained eaters, which suggest that only certain subgroups show EE. Furthermore, EE measures from lab-based assessments, ecological momentary assessment (EMA), and psychometric measures often diverge. This paper tested whether the covariance of these three different EE methods can be modeled through a single latent variable (factorial validity), and if so, how this variable would relate to restrained eating (construct validity), Body-Mass-Index (BMI), and subclinical eating disorder symptomatology (concurrent validity).Methods102 non-eating disordered female participants with a wide BMI range completed EE measures from three methods: psychometric questionnaires, a laboratory experiment (craving ratings of food images in induced neutral vs. negative emotion) and EMA questionnaires (within-participant correlations of momentary negative emotions and momentary food cravings across 9 days). Two measures for each method were extracted and submitted to confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsA one-factor model provided a good fit. The resulting EElat factor correlated positively with subclinical eating disorder symptoms and BMI but not with restrained eating.ConclusionsThe one-factor solution shows that the EE construct can validly be assessed with three different methods. Individual differences in EE are supported by the data and are related to eating and weight problem symptomatology but not to restrained eating. This supports learning accounts of EE and underscores the relevance of the EE construct to physical and mental health.Level of evidenceII (Evidence obtained from well-designed controlled trials without randomization).

Eating Attitudes From a Cardiometabolic Risk Perspective: Psoriasis Sample

Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare psoriasis patients with healthy controls in terms of impaired eating attitudes and to investigate the relationship of eating attitudes with cardiometabolic and clinical parameters, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. &#x0D; Methods: 45 psoriasis patients and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. Personal and clinical information form, eating attitude test (EAT-40), body mass index (BMI) and MetS criteria were used for all participants. Psoriasis patients were evaluated with clinical information form, hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), dermatological quality of life index (DQLI), psoriasis area and severity index (PASI).&#x0D; Results: The data of the patient and control groups differed in terms of doing sports, impaired EAT, BMI groups, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Abnormal eating attitudes such as negative body image, inability to control oneself in eating, overeating, and some restrictive attitudes were significantly higher in the psoriasis group. Overeating, overeating or stress-induced emotional eating, presence of MetS, weight dissatisfaction, frequent dieting to lose weight, some compensatory behaviours, and loss of self-control were significantly higher in patients with BMI&gt;25. EAT points; showed a positive moderate correlation with BMI and HAD-Anxiety. DQLI results; showed a moderate positive correlation with HADAnxiety and PASI scores.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study is the first to reveal what kind of disordered eating attitudes are at risk for cardiometabolic diseases in psoriasis patients. In psoriasis patients, the rate of not being able to control their eating behaviour is high. Our results primarily highlight the relationship that can be explained by autonomic reactivity between anxiety and difficulty resisting food cravings. Professional support including psychoeducational, cognitive behavioural therapy, and acceptance-based therapies should be provided to reduce maladaptive reactions and anxiety by improving self-regulation skills.

Sex-specific association between regional gray matter volume and spicy food craving or consumption

Both food cravings and long-term food consumption have been associated with brain changes. Sex differences in food craving are robust and substantial. The current study examined the potential sex-specific neuroanatomical correlates of spicy food craving and habitual spicy food consumption. One hundred and forty-nine participants completed the Spicy Food Consumption Questionnaire and the Spicy Food Craving Questionnaire while their structural brain images were acquired using a 3-T scanner. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine regional gray matter volume (GMV) in relation to questionnaire scores. GMV of the right supplementary motor area (SMA) and the dorsal superior frontal gyrus were significantly correlated with spicy food craving in women, whereas spicy food craving was associated with greater GMV of the inferior temporal gyrus and the occipital gyrus in men. In addition, habitual spicy food consumption was correlated with increased GMV of the bilateral putamen, left postcentral gyrus, and right paracentral lobule, which was more pronounced among female participants. These findings suggest distinct central neuroanatomical reflections of trait craving or habitual exposure to spicy flavors. The sex-specific correlation between spicy food craving and brain anatomical features may be related to food-related sensory imagery or cognitive control.

Food Craving Increases Unhealthy Food Purchases: A Study of SNAP Households

Analysis of actual transactions in a grocery store shows that households enrolled in the U.S. government's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) purchase more unhealthy hedonic food, compared with households that do not receive SNAP benefits. SNAP households purchased more unhealthy hedonic food regardless of whether they used government funds or cash to pay for their purchases. Three follow-up simulated grocery shopping studies were designed to understand the mechanisms underlying this food consumption pattern by SNAP households. SNAP households, compared with households that do not receive SNAP benefits, reported stronger food craving. Stronger food craving was associated with lower unhealthiness perception of hedonic food. Overall, the results suggest that food cravings can reduce perceptions of unhealthiness and thus increase unhealthy food purchases. Interventions that reduce the effect of food cravings on shopping decisions might reduce unhealthy consumption.

Not Hungry, but Still Snacking: The Association Between Hedonic Hunger and Snacking Behaviour Among Young Adults in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Hedonic hunger refers to the recurring thoughts, desires, and feelings about food in the absence of energy deprivation. The influence of hedonic hunger on snacking behaviour remains unclear, particularly among young adults in India. The present study aimed to understand the association between hedonic hunger and snacking behaviour among young adults aged 15-24 years in Vadodara, Gujarat. The study utilized a cross-sectional design. A total of 150 young adults from Vadodara, Gujarat, were included in the study. Participants were administered a structured questionnaire. Hedonic hunger scores were measured using the Power of Food Scale assessment. Anthropometric assessment was carried out using validated instruments. The associations between hedonic hunger, snacking behaviour, emotional eating, willpower, exercise, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were examined. Results showed that 51.3% of individuals had moderate levels of hedonic hunger, while 23.3% exhibited severe signs, indicating a strong inclination towards consuming appetizing foods rich in salt, sugar, and fat. The study found a significant association between hedonic hunger and consumption of certain snacking items. Furthermore, hedonic hunger scores were related to additional factors such as emotional eating, willpower, and exercise. Interestingly, a positive correlation was observed between hedonic hunger scores and participants' weight (r=0.170;P= 0.039), but no such correlation was found with BMI. Conclusion: These findings shed light on the relationship between hedonic hunger, snacking behaviour, and related factors, contributing to our understanding of the complex interplay between food cravings and eating habits among adolescents.

Primary dysmenorrhea, premenstrual tension and symptoms preceding menstruation in a group of physiotherapy students

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea is pain in the lower abdomen, which appears in the first few days before menstruation and during the follicular phase. As a result, premenstrual symptoms accompany women during several different cycles of the month, as well as during menstruation. The study of premenstrual symptoms is developing and evolving every day in order to inform and help the female population. Objective: This study aimed to analyze possible cases of Primary Dysmenorrhea, PMS (Premenstrual Tension) and Symptoms that Precede Menstruation in a Group of Physiotherapy Students. Methodology: This is a descriptive, exploratory and quantitative research, where possible cases of Primary Dysmenorrhea, PMS (Premenstrual Tension) and Symptoms that Precede Menstruation were analyzed in a group of 37 students of the Physiotherapy Course. Results: It was observed that 38% of the female students reported anxiety during their period, 35% reported feeling the urge to cry, 43% food cravings, 41% headaches, 41% bloating, 43% felt changes in their relationships with work colleagues, 49% in their social life activities, 27% reported making moderate use of medication, while 24% made continuous use of contraceptive methods. Conclusion: It was therefore possible to observe from the survey that many students have symptoms resulting from premenstrual tension, as well as their interference in daily life and the means used to treat the symptoms.

Is the Caloric Midpoint Associated with Food Cravings and Food Intake in Pregnant Women?

Objective: The field of chrononutrition suggests that mealtime can influence food intake. Previous studies have linked the caloric midpoint – defined as the time at which 50% of the daily energy is consumed – with different aspects of food consumption. However, its relationship with food craving remains unexplored. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between caloric midpoint, food craving, and food consumption in pregnant women. Methods: The study comprised 233 pregnant women classified as early eaters (caloric midpoint ≤ 1:00pm) and late eaters (caloric midpoint >1:00pm). Food craving were assessed using Food Craving Trait and State Questionnaires. Energy and nutrient intake, as well as mealtimes, were assessed using a 24-h food recall. Results: No association between caloric midpoint and food craving was found. However, late eaters consumed more calories (2039.47 kcal vs 1843.44 kcal; p < 0.001), carbohydrates (255.06 g vs 211.12 g; p = 0.002), total fat (73.1 g vs 64.8 g; p = 0.003), monounsaturated fat (21.33 mg vs 18.59 mg; p = 0.002) and saturated fat (24.37 mg vs 22.21 mh; p = 0.01) and had higher consumption of calories and macronutrients in the first (calories: 275.63 vs 213.41, p = 0.007; carbohydrate: 170.42 vs 142.54, p = 0.01; total fat: 56.49 vs 50.17, p = 0.04) and second (calories: 213.21 vs 151.59, p = 0.04; carbohydrate: 130.44 vs 96.6, p = 0.04; protein: 15.17 vs 13.71, p = 0.03) afternoon snack, dinner (calories: 576.89 vs 412.4, p < 0.001; carbohydrate: 230.76 vs 169.45, p < 0.001; protein: 80.48 vs 68.9, p = 0.02; total fat: 212.77 vs 147.12, p < 0.001) and late-night snack (calories: 135.75 vs 68.3, p = 0.04; total fat: 13.23 vs 22.45, p = 0.04) than early eaters. Conclusion: Pregnant women who concentrate their meals at later times consumed more calories, macro and micronutrients throughout the day and in the night meals when compared to early eaters.

Can mindful eating buffer against the influence of neighbourhood fast food exposure on unhealthy food intake?

A food-abundant environment is associated with unhealthy food intake, but not everyone is affected to the same degree. Mindful eating, which is eating with attention and awareness, has been associated with less external eating and less food cravings, and could act as a protective factor against influences from the food environment. The current study aimed to investigate whether the association between exposure to fast-food around the home and unhealthy food intake was moderated by mindful eating. The study was conducted in 1086 Dutch adults of 55 years and older of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam study. The mindful eating domains (Mindful Eating Behavior Scale) were tested as moderating variables in the linear regression models with absolute and relative density of fast-food outlets in the neighbourhood (400, 800 and 1600m) as independent variables and unhealthy food intake (snacks (g/d)) and saturated fat as a percentage of total energy intake (en%)) as dependent variable. Bootstrapping with 5000 samples using the pick-a-point approach showed that after adjustments, only two out of 48 interactions terms were statistically significant: Eating with Awareness (EwA) and Eating without Distraction (EwD) moderated the positive association between the relative density of fast-food outlets and saturated fat (en%) respectively in a buffer of 800m (interaction EwA: B=-0.84, 95% CI [-1.46; -0.22]) and in a buffer of 1600m (interaction EwD: B=-0.82, 95% CI [-1.61; -0.04]). The results of the current study indicate that mindful eating cannot buffer against the influence of the fast-food abundant environment on unhealthy food intake. Future research is needed to confirm these findings, for example in younger populations.

Thematic Analysis of Guided Imagery Scripts in a Multi-Health Behavior Change Intervention

Guided imagery is a mind-body technique that involves the controlled visualization of goals, behaviors, and desired outcomes. This secondary analysis aimed to identify themes in guided imagery scripts for the self-regulation of diet and stress management by overweight and obese women who were trying to lose weight. The guided imagery scripts were developed with the participants using prompts to elicit evocative emotional and sensory terms and phrases. Directed content analysis from 40 participants (21 to 51 years of age) was performed by 2 independent coders to develop a coding scheme, reach consensus, and identify major themes. Results showed 4 second-order themes for both stress reduction and food cravings. Major qualitative themes for stress reduction were imagined “special” places, body sensations and sensory descriptors, cognitive processes, and emotions. The four food cravings themes were foods and food types, body sensations/sensory descriptors, cognitive processes, and emotions. These results provide a framework for health care practitioners to develop simple to use guided imagery scripts to help women regulate stress and dietary behavior. Recommendations are made about how guided imagery techniques can be delivered in-person or digitally by nutritionists, psychologists, or health educators.

How images of food become cravingly salient in obesity.

This case-control study was aimed at testing two main hypotheses: (i) obesity is characterized by neurofunctional alterations within the mesocorticolimbic reward system, a brain network originating from the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA); and (ii) these alterations are associated with a bias for food-related stimuli and craving. Normal-weight individuals and individuals with obesity underwent a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scan and the assessment of impulsivity, food craving, appetite, and implicit bias for food and non-food stimuli. The VTA was used as a seed to map, for each participant, the strength of its functional connections with the rest of the brain. The between-group difference in functional connectivity was then computed, and brain-behavior correlations were performed. Individuals with obesity showed hyper-connectivity of the VTA with part of the ventral occipitotemporal cortex, recently found to be specialized for food images, and hypo-connectivity with the left inferior frontal gyrus, devoted to cognitive control. VTA-ventral occipitotemporal cortex connectivity was positively associated with food craving and food-related bias; the reverse correlation was observed for VTA-inferior frontal gyrus connectivity. These findings reveal that, in obesity, food-related visual stimuli become cravingly salient through an imbalanced connectivity of the reward system with sensory-specific regions and the frontal cortex involved in cognitive control.

Weight Regain and Ingestive Behavior in Women after Metabolic Surgery.

This study investigated associations between maladaptive ingestive behaviors and weight regain in women who underwent metabolic surgery 2-10 years ago. Using a web-based survey, we assessed emotional, external, and restrained eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire-DEBQ), food cravings (Food-Craving Inventory-FCI), and other behaviors (e.g., Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire-EDE-Q; Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Concise-AUDIT-C) in 36 women (42.9 ± 9.5 years old) post-surgery. We found that weight regain was specifically associated with increased frequency of cravings for sweets (r = 0.43), higher global scores in the EDE-Q (r = 0.38), and time elapsed since surgery (r = 0.35; all p's < 0.04). Multiple regression analysis revealed that the association between weight regain and sweet cravings interacted with time after surgery (p = 0.04), with the strongest association observed in women assessed closer to the surgery (i.e., 2.0-2.8 years). The combination of time after surgery and its interaction with sweet cravings accounted for 31% of the individual variations in weight regain (p = 0.005). Notably, among participants who reported alcohol consumption (31 of 36), 55% had an AUDIT-C score indicating hazardous drinking. These findings highlight the relevance of attending to patients' reports of frequent sweet cravings and screening for alcohol use to enhance strategies tailored to prevent weight regain and alcohol-related health problems post-surgery.