High-calorie Foods Research Articles

Implementing physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) food labelling: Views of a nationally representative sample of adults in the United Kingdom.

Nutritional labels aim to support people to make informed healthy food choices, but many people do not understand the meaning of calories on food labels. Another approach is to provide calorie information with an interpretation of what the calorie content of food means for energy expenditure, known as physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) labelling. PACE aims to illustrate how many minutes of physical activity are equivalent to the calories contained in food/drinks. This study investigated the views of the public about the possible implementation of PACE labelling. Data was obtained from a nationally representative sample of adults in the United Kingdom and collected by UK Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Panellists are recruited via a random probability unclustered address-based sampling method. 4,000 panellists were randomly invited to participate and asked to compare their views about traffic light and PACE labelling preferences and behaviour parameters. Data were analysed descriptively and using logistic and multinomial regression analyses. 2,668/4,000 (67%) of those invited participated. More participants preferred traffic light (43%vs33%) than PACE labelling, but more reported PACE was easier to understand (41%vs27%) and more likely to catch their attention (49%vs31%). More participants thought PACE was more likely to help them avoid high calorie food than traffic light labelling (44%vs28%). Physically active (3-4 or 5+ days/week) respondents were more likely to report PACE would catch their attention than traffic light labelling, compared with less active participants (weighted adjusted relative risk ratio = 1.42 (1.00-2.00) and 1.45 (1.03-2.05 respectively)). Perceived overweight was the most predictive factor (weighted adjusted OR = 2.24 (1.19 to 4.20)) in whether PACE was considered useful in helping people decide what to eat/buy. The public identified value to their health in labelling food with PACE information. PACE labelling may be a useful approach to complement current approaches to food labelling.

Reduced liking and wanting for high-caloric foods: The transfer effect of sensory-specific satiety through repeated imagination

Numerous studies have demonstrated that repeatedly consuming a specific food item within a short period of time can reduce individuals’ liking of and wanting for this food. This phenomenon is referred to as sensory-specific satiety. Recent research has shown that sensory-specific satiety can also be elicited by repeated imagined consumption. The present study was conducted to examine whether repeated imagined consumption of one food could induce the transfer of sensory-specific satiety to other foods. In three experiments, the participants were instructed to repeatedly imagine consuming a high-caloric food 30 times and rate the extent to which they liked and desired other high- or low-caloric foods after imagining consumption 3 and 30 times. The results revealed a significant decrease in the liking of and wanting for the imagined food and other high-caloric foods they did not imagine consuming, whereas no such effects were observed for the unimagined low-caloric foods. These results suggest that repeated imagined consumption of a certain high-caloric food can also induce sensory-specific satiety to other high-caloric foods, thereby indicating the transfer of sensory-specific satiety based on repeated imagination without actual consumption. Our findings have implications in the practice of nudging strategies aimed at encouraging healthier eating behaviors by prompting individuals to repeatedly imagine consuming high-caloric foods prior to actual food consumption.

Support from a Best Friend Makes People Eat Less under Stress: Evidence from Two Experiments.

When experiencing acute stress, individuals often turn to eating for comfort, as it provides a sense of satiety and satisfaction that can temporarily alleviate the stressful condition. However, this may increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease. In this study, we conducted two behavioral experiments to investigate the effectiveness of social support in reducing stress-induced overeating and the mediative role of negative affect and self-efficacy (Experiment 1), as well as the role of reward sensitivity (Experiment 2). Acute stress was induced using a speech preparation task and then participants were asked to regulate their emotions and cognition, either alone or with the help of pictures and supportive sentences provided by a best friend or stranger. Participants in Experiment 1 then completed the food choice task, and participants in Experiment 2 completed the food incentive delay task and the bogus tasting task. The results of both experiments consistently showed that participants who received support from their friends reported lower levels of perceived stress, chose fewer food portions, and consumed fewer snacks during acute stress, compared to the other three groups. Further mediation analysis using the process macro revealed that the differential influence of social support on the choice of high-calorie foods was due to decreased negative affect and increased self-efficacy. This study provides valuable insights for the development of therapeutic interventions for clinical eating disorders.

METABOLİK SENDROM

Metabolic syndrome is a common health problem, is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Metabolic syndrome is a type of disorder that occurs as a result of the coexistence of insulin resistance and obesity-like findings, hipertriglisemi, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, stress, low HDL, hyperglycemia, inflammation, adipocyte-derived aldosterone-releasing factors, sleep apnea, etc. The same criteria and symptoms are valid for the disease in animals, and similar definitions are made for animals. In recent years, interest in metabolic syndrome, its causes and consequences has increased in veterinary medicine as well as in human medicine. In the formation of the disease, with the development of industry and technology, besides genetic factors urbanization, sedentary life, fast and high-calorie food consumption and many environmental factors such as smoking and alcohol use play role. In addition to this, many situations are shown in animals such as breed, neutralism, relationship with the owner, ration content, loss of hunter, catcher, etc. characteristics by assimilating to today's conditions. Many internationally recognized institutions such as the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATPIII, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Turkish Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism have made definitions for metabolic syndrome. In this article, metabolic syndrome, which has a significant impact on human and animal life, is examined in general terms.

A randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of liraglutide on self-reported liking and neural responses to food stimuli in participants with obesity

Background/ObjectivesObesity is a complex condition and the mechanisms involved in weight gain and loss are not fully understood. Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been demonstrated to successfully promote weight loss in patients with obesity (OB). Yet, it is unclear whether the observed weight loss is driven by an alteration of food liking. Here we investigated the effects of liraglutide on food liking and the cerebral correlates of liking in OB.Subjects/MethodsThis study was a randomized, single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group, prospective clinical trial. 73 participants with OB and without diabetes following a multidisciplinary weight loss program, were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive liraglutide 3.0 mg (37.40 ± 11.18 years old, BMI = 35.89 ± 3.01 kg) or a placebo (40.04 ± 14.10 years old, BMI = 34.88 ± 2.87 kg) subcutaneously once daily for 16 weeks.Interventions/MethodsWe investigated liking during food consumption. Participants reported their hedonic experience while consuming a high-calorie food (milkshake) and a tasteless solution. The solutions were administered inside the scanner with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-compatible gustometer to assess neural responses during consumption. The same procedure was repeated during the pre- and post-intervention sessions.ResultsNone of the effects involving the intervention factor reached significance when comparing liking between the pre- and post-intervention sessions or groups. Liking during food reward consumption was associated with the activation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the amygdala. The liraglutide group lost more weight (BMI post-pre = −3.19 ± 1.28 kg/m2) than the placebo group (BMI post-pre = −0.60 ± 1.26 kg/m2).ConclusionsThese results suggest that liraglutide leads to weight loss without self-report or neural evidence supporting a concomitant reduction of food liking in participants with OB.

Neural effects of deep brain stimulation on reward and loss anticipation and food viewing in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

BackgroundAnorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and life-threatening psychiatric disorder. Initial studies on deep brain stimulation (DBS) in severe, treatment-refractory AN have shown clinical effects. However, the working mechanisms of DBS in AN remain largely unknown. Here, we used a task-based functional MRI approach to understand the pathophysiology of AN.MethodsWe performed functional MRI on four AN patients that participated in a pilot study on the efficacy, safety, and functional effects of DBS targeted at the ventral limb of the capsula interna (vALIC). The patients and six gender-matched healthy controls (HC) were investigated at three different time points. We used an adapted version of the monetary incentive delay task to probe generic reward processing in patients and controls, and a food-specific task in patients only.ResultsAt baseline, no significant differences for reward anticipation were found between AN and HC. Significant group (AN and HC) by time (pre- and post-DBS) interactions were found in the right precuneus, right putamen, right ventral and medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC). No significant interactions were found in the food viewing task, neither between the conditions high-calorie and low-calorie food images nor between the different time points. This could possibly be due to the small sample size and the lack of a control group.ConclusionThe results showed a difference in the response of reward-related brain areas post-DBS. This supports the hypotheses that the reward circuitry is involved in the pathogenesis of AN and that DBS affects responsivity of reward-related brain areas.Trial registration Registered in the Netherlands Trial Register (https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/3322): NL3322 (NTR3469).

The role of Neurochemicals, Stress Hormones and Immune System in the Positive Feedback Loops between Diabetes, Obesity and Depression.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and depression are significant public health and socioeconomic issues. They commonly co-occur, with T2DM occurring in 11.3% of the US population, while depression has a prevalence of about 9%, with higher rates among youths. Approximately 31% of patients with T2DM suffer from depressive symptoms, with 11.4% having major depressive disorders, which is twice as high as the prevalence of depression in patients without T2DM. Additionally, over 80% of people with T2DM are overweight or obese. This review describes how T2DM and depression can enhance one another, using the same molecular pathways, by synergistically altering the brain's structure and function and reducing the reward obtained from eating. In this article, we reviewed the evidence that eating, especially high-caloric foods, stimulates the limbic system, initiating Reward Deficiency Syndrome. Analogous to other addictive behaviors, neurochemical changes in those with depression and/or T2DM are thought to cause individuals to increase their food intake to obtain the same reward leading to binge eating, weight gain and obesity. Treating the symptoms of T2DM, such as lowering HbA1c, without addressing the underlying pathways has little chance of eliminating the disease. Targeting the immune system, stress circuit, melatonin, and other alterations may be more effective.

Construct Validity of a Questionnaire on Eating and Physical Activity Habits for Adolescents in Mexico City.

The assessment of eating and physical activity habits is an important step in promoting healthy behaviors among the adolescent population and is key in the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. For this purpose, reliable and valid measuring instruments are essential. In this context, the aim of this article is to present the validation of a self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City. In order to validate the questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2710 adolescents between 11 and 12 years of age, the piloting of the questionnaire was carried out in September 2022 with a focus group, and the programming of the anthropometric measurements was established with the Federal Educational Authority of CDMX, as well as the application of the questionnaire to 33 schools, with these activities being scheduled from 7 November 2022 to 3 February 2023 and having an application duration of 15-25 min for each of the groups to which it was applied; the questionnaire that was applied consists of 31 questions that refer to the frequencies, quantity, or performance of behaviors related to the frequency and type of food, type of physical activity and behaviors related to the act of eating referring to the place where it is carried out (home or away from home) and with whom it is carried out (alone or in company), and about the individual's lifestyle. Subsequently, the reliability of the instrument was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to determine the structure of the questionnaire. The results obtained showed that the questionnaire was adequately reliable (α = 0.778) with an eight-factor structure: four questions on mealtime frequencies, four questions on physical activity and lifestyles, six questions on the consumption of high-calorie foods, four questions on company and food consumption, four questions on the consumption of vegetables and fruits, four questions on the place of food consumption, two questions on the consumption of alcoholic beverages, and three questions on the consumption of sugary drinks, plain water, and milk. In conclusion, the self-report questionnaire on eating and physical activity habits among adolescents in Mexico City is reliable, has adequate internal consistency, and can therefore be used as a useful tool for the evaluation of eating and physical activity habits in this population.

The effects of an 8-week mindful eating intervention on anticipatory reward responses in striatum and midbrain.

Accumulating evidence suggests that increased neural responses during the anticipation of high-calorie food play an important role in the tendency to overeat. A promising method for counteracting enhanced food anticipation in overeating might be mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). However, the neural mechanisms by which MBIs can affect food reward anticipation are unclear. In this randomized, actively controlled study, the primary objective was to investigate the effect of an 8-week mindful eating intervention on reward anticipation. We hypothesized that mindful eating would decrease striatal reward anticipation responses. Additionally, responses in the midbrain-from which the reward pathways originate-were explored. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we tested 58 healthy participants with a wide body mass index range (BMI: 19-35 kg/m2), motivated to change their eating behavior. During scanning they performed an incentive delay task, measuring neural reward anticipation responses to caloric and monetary cues before and after 8 weeks of mindful eating or educational cooking (active control). Compared with the educational cooking intervention, mindful eating affected neural reward anticipation responses, with reduced caloric relative to monetary reward responses. This effect was, however, not seen in the striatum, but only in the midbrain. The secondary objective was to assess temporary and long-lasting (1 year follow-up) intervention effects on self-reported eating behavior and anthropometric measures [BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip-ratio (WHR)]. We did not observe effects of the mindful eating intervention on eating behavior. Instead, the control intervention showed temporary beneficial effects on BMI, waist circumference, and diet quality, but not on WHR or self-reported eating behavior, as well as long-lasting increases in knowledge about healthy eating. These results suggest that an 8-week mindful eating intervention may have decreased the relative salience of food cues by affecting midbrain but not striatal reward responses, without necessarily affecting regular eating behavior. However, these exploratory results should be verified in confirmatory research.The primary and secondary objectives of the study were registered in the Dutch Trial Register (NTR): NL4923 (NTR5025).

A Review on Correlation of Obesity and Alzheimer- Perspective Study

Due to excessive consumption of saturated fats, inactivity, or a sedentary lifestyle, obesity is a widespread health issue that is getting worse around the world. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused due to breakdown of amyloid precursor protein to secretase; aggregation and hyperphosphorylation of tau are additional causes that result in NTFs. Over the past couple of decades, cases of dementia, or in more advanced terms, Alzheimer's, have elevated in middle-aged individuals and primarily in the elderly population. We go through the relationship between obesity as well as the pathology of AD in this review. Key elements that are thought to contribute to the development of obesity-induced AD are extensively examined. The impact of a high-calorie food on the brain, the function of insulin, processes through which insulin resistance develops are all examined. Leptin's function in the brain and its resistance, as well as molecular factors including mitochondrial dysfunction, the production of inflammasomes, and the roles of peripheral and central tenderness in the development of obesity-induced AD, are all examined. However, some believe that to be a contentious issue and to determine the specific situation, more investigation is required.

Gender-Based Determinants of Obesity among Thai Adolescent Boys and Girls

Understanding the determinants that influence obesity among children and adolescents is critical to the prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases later in life. The findings presented here broaden the understanding of obesity-related challenges by adding analyses that compare nutritional indicators among boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 16 years, by exploring the more recent literature to examine if past trends have continued or not, and by synthesizing the recent findings concerning the causes and determinants of such trends in obesity. Both data from 2005 and the more recent literature review have shown that the consumption of high calorie foods and snacks, greater screen time, body image, and depressive factors play a significant role regarding obesity during adolescence in Thailand. There continues to be a trend of increasing obesity among adolescents in Thailand, and this may be more of a concern in boys. Interviews with health professionals and parents from the 2005 study suggested that girls were more aware of their physical appearance, and there was more societal acceptance to be obese as a boy in Thailand compared to girls. These findings can inform nutritional education practices and policies.

Clinical and laboratory features of the course of non-alcoholic liver steatosis in women in the early postmenopausal period living on the territory of an industrial megapolis

The aim. To study risk factors, clinical features, anthropometric, biochemical and metabolic parameters, parameters of the functional state of the endothelium, the level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and markers of hemostasis in patients with non-alcoholic liver steatosis in the early postmenopausal period living in Perm. Materials and methods. 100 women in the early postmenopausal period were examined: 70 patients with the clinical form non-alcoholic liver steatosis and overweight or obesity of varying severity (49.9±1.1 years) and 30 practically healthy women without obesity and liver pathology (47.3±2.6 years). Biochemical parameters, lipid spectrum, insulin, leptin, leptin receptors, interleukin-6 (IL-6), markers of endothelial dysfunction, hemostasis parameters were determined in the blood of all subjects, body mass index (BMI), free leptin index, NOMA-IR and Caro were calculated. Liver steatosis was determined by ultrasound examination. Results. General weakness (35%), severity (35%) and pain (15%) in the right hypochondrium (35%), dyspepsia - belching (25%), nausea (15%), heartburn (10%), flatulence (10%). Hypertension was observed in 60% of women, type 2 diabetes mellitus - in 24%. All patients had a genoid type of obesity. 34% of women with non-alcoholic liver steatosis were overweight, 29% were obese of the 1st degree, 23% were obese of the 2nd degree, and 14% of patients were obese of the 3rd degree. Conclusion: In the examined women with non-alcoholic liver steatosis in the early postmenopausal period living in Perm, risk factors for the development of obesity were identified: consumption of high-calorie foods with high fat and sugar content and hypokinesia, and the course of the disease was accompanied by the development of dyslipidemia, insulin and leptin resistance, inflammatory syndrome with activation of proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 and hyperfibrinogenemia, and also endothelial dysfunction, the severity of which increased during the transition from 1 to 2-3 degrees of obesity.

Attentional bias for high-calorie food cues by the level of hunger and satiety in individuals with binge eating behaviors.

The abnormal hyperreactivity to food cues in individuals with binge eating behaviors could be regulated by hedonic or reward-based system, overriding the homeostatic system. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether attentional bias for food cues is affected by the level of hunger, maintaining the normal homeostatic system in individuals with binge eating behaviors. A total of 116 female participants were recruited and divided into four groups: hungry-binge eating group (BE) (n = 29), satiated BE (n = 29), hungry-control (n = 29), satiated control (n = 29). While participants completed a free-viewing task on high or low-calorie food cues, visual attentional processes were recorded using an eye tracker. The results revealed that BE group showed longer initial fixation duration toward high-calorie food cues in both hunger and satiety condition in the early stage, whereas the control group showed longer initial fixation duration toward high-calorie food cues only in hunger conditions. Moreover, in the late stage, the BE group stared more at the high-calorie food cue, compared to control group regardless of hunger and satiety. The findings suggest that automatic attentional bias for food cues in individuals with binge eating behaviors occurred without purpose or awareness is not affected by the homeostatic system, while strategic attention is focused on high-calorie food. Therefore, the attentional processing of food cues in binge eating group is regulated by hedonic system rather than homeostatic system, leading to vulnerability to binge eating.

Psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the Inflexible Eating Questionnaire (IEQ) in a non-clinical sample of adults

BackgroundThe Inflexible Eating Questionnaire (IEQ) is an 11-item instrument designed to evaluate the behavioural and psychological components of inflexible eating. However, the psychometric properties of the instrument have been infrequently examined, and no previous work has examined its utility in the context of the Middle East.MethodsA total of 826 Lebanese citizens and residents completed a novel Arabic translation of the IEQ, as well as previously validated measures of body appreciation, functionality appreciation, and disordered eating.ResultsThe unidimensional factor structure of the IEQ was upheld through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, with all 11 items retained. We obtained evidence of scalar invariance across gender and found that there were no significant differences in observed IEQ scores between men and women. IEQ scores were also found to have adequate composite reliability and adequate patterns of concurrent validity.ConclusionThe present findings provide support for the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the IEQ in examining inflexible eating in Arabic-speaking adults in Lebanon.Plain English SummaryInflexible or rigid dietary restraint reflects an all-or-none approach that encompasses feeling compelled to obey a set of self-imposed dieting rules (e.g., avoiding high-calorie food, calorie counting, fasting to lose weight and/or skipping meals), having a sense of self-control and feeling empowered when adhering to these rules, and not respecting or following internal/external cues of hunger, satiety, and appetite. Therefore, the inflexible eating construct is composed of two dimensions, the first one is behavioural (i.e., obeying restrictive dietary rules) and the second one is psychological (i.e., the belief that following these rules is a consistent must). Until recently, the measures designed to assess inflexible eating focused on the behavioral dimension, while omitting to account for the psychological processes underlying the construct. To bridge this gap, the Inflexible Eating Questionnaire (IEQ), an 11-item self-report measure, was developed to assess both the behavioural and psychological components of dietary restraint. To date, the IEQ is not yet validated in Arabic. Through the present study, we aimed to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic translation of the IEQ, which would in turn facilitate improved research and clinical practices related to dietary restraint in Arabic-speaking nations. Overall, findings provided support for the good psychometric qualities of the Arabic version of the IEQ, which suggests its utility for detecting inflexible eating in Arabic-speaking adults.

Neural differences of food-specific inhibitory control in people with healthy vs higher BMI

Consistent with the idea that deficits in inhibition limit resistance to tempting, tasty, high-calorie foods, and might result in a higher BMI, we test whether people with higher BMIs (BMI >25 kg/m2) present inefficient inhibitory control over food-related responses. To unpack this association, we also examine individual differences in the neural mechanisms of food inhibitory control in healthy vs higher BMI individuals. We test these aspects with a sample of 109 participants (49 with higher BMI and 60 with healthy BMI) and the food stop-signal task, which was used to examine individuals’ inhibitory control. Results demonstrated that people with higher BMI had significantly poorer food inhibitory control than healthy BMI individuals. fMRI results showed that, in both Go (Go_food vs Go_nature) and Stop conditions (Stop_food vs Stop_nature), compared to healthy BMI individuals, individuals with higher BMI had lower activation in the superior frontal gyrus, precuneus, precentral gyrus, and supramarginal gyrus in the food stimulus condition. Moreover, ROI analysis results showed that under the Stop_food condition, the activation in the inferior frontal gyrus in the higher BMI group was significantly negatively correlated with inhibitory control abilities. These results suggest that people with a higher BMI have limited ability to inhibit food impulsions, and that the prefrontal regions and parietal cortex may contribute to the progression of inhibitory control limitations in relation to food.

The food culture of Russian students and its impact on health

Although studies on public health and lifestyle diseases have a long history, they are characterized by the selective nature of the consideration of the issue. Over the past decades, student youth has repeatedly been the focus of such studies. Student lifestyle is often accompanied by a violation of the regime of work and rest, quality sleep, as well as cooking and eating. Often, students' meals include unbalanced, high-calorie foods. In this regard, the importance of forming a need for a healthy lifestyle, an attentive attitude to health, and skills aimed at maintaining and preserving it among Russian students is apparent. This goal can be achieved through active outreach and awareness-raising work and the introduction of educational programs and youth projects focused on protection and promotion of Russian students’ health.

Food induced distractibility in restrictive anorexia nervosa: Different motor patterns for different foods as revealed by a mouse tracker evaluation.

An altered automatic processing of food stimuli may contribute to the maintenance of calorie restriction in patients with restrictive Anorexia Nervosa (AN-R). The present study aimed to assess whether task-irrelevant food distractors elicited a different interference effect in the motor actions of patients with AN-R compared to healthy controls (HC). 40 patients with acute AN-R and 40 HC performed an irrelevant distractor task in which they were required to perform a reaching movement from a starting point to a green dot, while an irrelevant distractor (a high-calorie food, low-calorie food, or neutral object) was presented in the middle of the screen. Mouse trajectories and response times (RT) were recorded. The analyses conducted on the kinematic variables revealed that while the trajectories of HC veered similarly toward the three categories of stimuli, AN-R patients showed an increased deviation toward low-calorie foods and a reduced deviation toward high-calorie foods compared to neutral objects. No significant results emerged as regards RT. The pattern of responses observed in patients with AN-R (deviation increased toward low-calorie and reduced toward high-calorie) is consistent with their eating habits and may thus represent an implicit mechanism sustaining calorie restriction in patients with AN-R.

Neural activation of regions involved in food reward and cognitive control in young females with anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa versus healthy controls

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN (AtypAN) are complex neurobiological illnesses that typically onset in adolescence with an often treatment-refractory and chronic illness trajectory. Aberrant eating behaviors in this population have been linked to abnormalities in food reward and cognitive control, but prior studies have not examined respective contributions of clinical characteristics and metabolic state. Research is needed to identify specific disruptions and inform novel intervention targets to improve outcomes. Fifty-nine females with AN (n = 34) or AtypAN (n = 25), ages 10–22 years, all ≤90% expected body weight, and 34 age-matched healthy controls (HC) completed a well-established neuroimaging food cue paradigm fasting and after a standardized meal, and we used ANCOVA models to investigate main and interaction effects of Group and Appetitive State on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) activation for the contrast of exposure to high-calorie food images minus objects. We found main effects of Group with greater BOLD activation in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), hippocampus, caudate, and putamen for AN/AtypAN versus HC groups, and in the three-group model including AN, AtypAN, and HC (sub-)groups, where differences were primarily driven by greater activation in the AtypAN subgroup versus HC group. We found a main effect of Appetitive State with increased premeal BOLD activation in the hypothalamus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and caudate for models that included AN/AtypAN and HC groups, and in BOLD activation in the nucleus accumbens for the model that included AN, AtypAN, and HC (sub-)groups. There were no interaction effects of Group with Appetitive State for any of the models. Our findings demonstrate robust feeding-state independent group effects reflecting greater neural activation of specific regions typically associated with reward and cognitive control processing across AN and AtypAN relative to healthy individuals in this food cue paradigm. Differential activation of specific brain regions in response to the passive viewing of high-calorie food images may underlie restrictive eating behavior in this clinical population.

Evaluation of black seed (Nigella sativa L.) cake and its protein in muffins as a valuable potential functional source for obesity control

Background:Due to the use of high-calorie foods and reduced physical activity caused by the modern lifestyle, obesity is on the rise. Obesity occurs by the increase of fat accumulation in the body, causing different complications such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory disorders, blood pressure, etc., which has become a global problem. Objectives:The production of functional food that has medicinal properties for controlling or inhibiting diseases is increasingly popular. With the expanding concerns about obesity and its related diseases, it is very important to provide natural controlling or inhibiting compounds. In this study, the functional properties of black seed cake (BSC) and its protein (BSCP) were investigated for obesity control through the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase enzymes as well as its antioxidant properties. Methods:The textural properties and sensory evaluation of muffins, enzyme inhibition properties (inhibiting the effect of enzymes in the obesity process), and antioxidant properties (control or inhibition of side effects caused by body fat oxidation) of BSC and BSCP were investigated.Results:The highest and lowest inhibitory levels of pancreatic lipase are related to black seed (Nigella sativa)cake protein (BSCP) (59.21%) and black seed cake (BSC) (32.90%), respectively. The highest and lowest levels of α-amylase inhibition are related to BSCP (32.51%) and black seed cake in ethanol 75% (BSC-E75%) (3.62%), respectively. The highest and lowest α-glucosidase inhibitory levels are related to BSC-E30% (71%) and BSCP (10.10%), respectively. BSC and BSCP showed high antioxidant activity. The use of BSC and BSCP in the production of muffins (a widely consumed and popular product) to replace flour and oil in the formulation of muffins caused a decrease in L*, b*, but an increase in a*. Hardness, chewiness, springiness, and cohesiveness decreased with the increase of BSC and BSCP content. Samples BSM 3%, BSM 6%, PBM 1%, and PBM 2% were similar to control muffins in sensory evaluation.Conclusions :From the result of this study, it can be concluded that black seed cake and its protein can be considered a potential efficient source for the production of functional muffins and possibly other functional foods that aim to manage and control obesity, blood glucose, and blood fat. However, more research is needed to fully determine the effectiveness of black seed cake and its protein.Keywords: Obesity, Black seed cake, Muffins, Diabetes, Blood pressure, Blood fat

The Effect of Sodium Content in Food on the appetite of the ObesePeople: A Research Proposal on Cognitive Diversity

Previous studies showed that people with obesity respond to high- or low-calorie foods differently from those withthe standard Body Mass Index (BMI). Nevertheless, as suggested by the previous paper, sodium might be a clue thatleads to high-calorie food intake, which then induces obesity. Also, the synergy between eating high-calorie food andhigh-sodium food was found to be one of the mechanisms that developed obesity. However, no study has been done toinvestigate the effect of sodium food on the appetite of people suffering from obesity. To find out this question, we willconduct behavior tests, including lexical decisions and visual stimulation, to determine whether the sodium componentin the food can be a way to define the food stimuli that develop eating addiction in obesity population. Besides, we willcompare which delivery of this kind of stimuli, through pictures or words, will affect the results more, if possible.