Conference presentation
Effects of simple distraction tasks on self-induced food cravings in men and women with grade 3 obesity
Obesity Week Conference, 2014 (Boston, United States, 02-Nov-2014–07-Nov-2014)
Obesity Society
2014
Abstract
Background: Cognitive tasks such as computer screen card sorting can successfully reduce food cravings but can be impractical for use in public. We tested four 30-second tasks, two of which can be performed discretely in public, to determine if they reduce self-induced food cravings in obese men and women. Methods: We tested the effect of finger tapping the forehead and ear, toe tapping the floor, and staring at a blank white wall on self-induced food cravings. At baseline for each of their four favorite foods subjects (n=55) induced cravings and then immediately rated the craving intensity and image vividness. Then, each task was randomly assigned to a food and for each task subjects performed four 30-sec trials while thinking about the same (corresponding) food, followed immediately by rating the image vividness and craving intensity. Single factor repeated measures ANOVA was performed for cravings and images to test for significant changes between baseline and all trials. Results: The effect of each task (control, forehead, ear, toe) on craving and image was analyzed by a single factor (trial: baseline, experimental trials 1-4) repeated measures ANOVA. Craving analysis revealed main effects for tasks: forehead (F [4,216]=22.2, p < 0.001), toe (F [4,216]=8.3, p <0.0001), ear (F [4,216]=7.9, p < 0.0001), control (F [4,216]=9.1, p < 0.0001). Image vividness analysis revealed main effects for tasks: forehead (F [4,216]=20.2, p < 0.0001), toe (F [4,216]=10.3, p < 0.0001), ear (F [4,216]=12.9, p < 0.0001), control (F [4,216]=10.98, p < 0.0001. Conclusions: Four simple 30-second distraction tasks, two of which can be performed discretely in public (wall and toe), significantly reduced the intensity and image vividness of self-induced food cravings in men and women with grade 3 obesity. The effect of forehead tapping was greater than the remaining tasks
Details
- Title
- Effects of simple distraction tasks on self-induced food cravings in men and women with grade 3 obesity
- Authors
- R Weil (Author)S Klebanov (Author)B Kovacs (Author)Andrew McClelland (Author)
- Conference details
- Obesity Week Conference, 2014 (Boston, United States, 02-Nov-2014–07-Nov-2014)
- Publisher
- Obesity Society
- Date published
- 2014
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449253802621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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