Chocolate craving: does it affect eating attitude and body mass index?

Purpose Some kinds of foods, by producing an effect like addiction, may trigger overeating. This paper aims to investigate whether excessive chocolate consumption and hunger cause food addiction. Design/methodology/approach Food cravings questionnaire-trait-reduced (FCQ-T-r), food cravings questionnaire-state (FCQ-S) and eating attitude test-26 (EAT-26) scales were used. The relation between chocolate addiction, anthropometric measurements, demographic characteristics, eating behavior of the people were analyzed. The study was conducted on 864 individuals between 17 and 64 years old (men = 327, women = 537). Findings As the body mass index (BMI) of the individuals increased, chocolate craving, chocolate hunger, thought of eating chocolate, lack of control of chocolate increased. Also, significant correlations were determined with BMI, respectively, (r = 0.39; r = 0.32; r = 0.33; r = 0.29; p < 0.001). The lack of control overeating chocolate, craving for chocolate was found to be higher in female participants than in male participants. It was seen that craving for chocolate decreases (r = −0.17; p < 0.001) with increasing age; this was more apparent in male participants compared to female participants. Besides, significant correlation was found (r = 0.76, p < 0.05) between the EAT-26, the craving to eat chocolate in this study. It was seen that individual, who were excessively eager to consume chocolate, exhibited abnormal eating behavior (29.50 ± 12.09). This showed that there is a positive relation (r = 0.08, p < 0.001) between food addiction, eating attitude disorder. Originality/value Food craving increases the consumption of food, especially chocolate, sugar, with high carbohydrate content and energy. This can lead to overeating and being overweight.

Do Overweight People Have Worse Cognitive Flexibility? Cues-Triggered Food Craving May Have a Greater Impact

Background: Overweight people have been revealed to have poor cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility reflects proactive and reactive control abilities. However, the impairment had not been explicitly positioned at the cognitive stage. Therefore, this study provides increased support for impairment of cognitive flexibility due to overweight. Method: The study included 34 overweight and 35 normal-weight participants. They were required to complete the food and flower target AX-continuous performance test (AX–CPT), including the resting-state fMRI and cue-triggered food craving subscales. We compared the performance difference between the two tasks. Furthermore, we investigated whether the cue-triggered food cravings and the corresponding brain regions mediated the effect of overweight on the two control mechanisms. Result: Significant differences were found only in the food target AX-CPT task, where overweight participants performed worse. Cue-triggered food cravings mediated this relationship. Additionally, we found that the brain regions associated with cue-triggered food cravings (bilateral SFG) can completely mediate the relationship between BMI and the z-value of the fat mass index and sensitivity to proactive control. Conclusion: In the food target task, overweight participants performed worse in both control mechanisms. Moreover, we also revealed the potential mechanism by which being overweight might affect the two control mechanisms through cue-triggered food cravings.

Self-Control at Meals in Order Not to Gain Weight and Its Relationship with Food Cravings in Low-Carb Dieters

Aims: This study’s objective was to verify the level of food cravings and cognitive restraint in women who reported having followed a low-carb diet. Methods: The volunteers filled out the binge eating scale, the cognitive restraint subscale, the food cravings trait and state questionnaires, and the food frequency questionnaire. This study has also compared participants according to the self-reported practice of a low-carb diet. Parametric tests were used to compare the groups and Pearson’s correlations between some variables of interest (p > 0.05 adopted). Results: According to the question regarding the practice of the low-carb diet, 39 participants had tried a low-carb diet in the last six months (46.2% of these with binge eating) and 48 did not (16.7% with binge eating). Dieters showed higher levels of binge eating, cognitive restriction, and food cravings (trait and state). Dieters consumed less rice and bread but did not present lower consumption of sweets. Correlations showed that for dieters who ‘Consciously hold back at meals in order not to gain weight’, it was negatively associated with ‘Intention and plans to eat’, ‘positive reinforcement’ and ‘relieving negative states’ and food cravings scores. Conclusions: Despite the higher levels of cognitive restriction in dieters, they are negatively correlated with food craving factors and negatively associated with the consumption of sweets.

THE EFFECT OF THE COMPLAİNTS ASSOCİATED WİTH PREGNANCY ON THE QUALİTY OF LİFE OF THE PREGNANT PATİENTS HOSPİTALİSED İN THE PERİNATOLOGY CLİNİC

The aim of this study was to determine the complaints associated with pregnancy and how these affect the quality of life of the pregnant patients hospitalized in the perinatology clinic. The study was carried out as descriptive with 330 pregnant women in Diyarbakır Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Gynecology and Pediatric Hospital Supplementary Service Building between 1 February - 5 May 2019. Data were collected using the “Introductory Information Form” and “RBWH Pregnancy Symptoms Inventory” developed by the researcher. The data were evaluated by SPSS 20 statistical package program. All of the patients reported fatigue, the percentage of other complaints were 55,8% dizziness, 57,0% palpitations, 61,5% carpel tunnel (numb hands), 66,1% vaginal candidiasis, 66,7% varicose veins, 67,9% nausea, 72,1% feeling depressed, 75,5% itchy skin, 76,7% constipation, 80,3% headache, 80,9% restless legs, 83,9% taste/smell changes, 84,5% dry mouth, 86.4% swollen/hands or feet, 86,7% altered body image, 87,0% leg cramps, 87,0% shortness of breath, 87,3% forgetfulness, 87.6% sciatica/pain at the back of legs, 87,9% stretch marks, 90,3% changes in libido, 92,4% increased vaginal discharge, 94,2% poor sleep, 95,2% anxiety, 97,3% urinary frequency, 98,2% back pain, 99,1% hip or pelvic pain and 99,4% reflux, In this study, a statistically significant relationship was found between socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics and SCPEQL of the patients. Aside from that, it was found that all complaints, except for snoring and food cravings, affected the daily life of pregnant women. As a conclusion, it was found that complaints associated with pregnancy of the patients with high risk pregnancy are much more common, and negatively affect their quality of life.

Food Cravings And Personality Traits In Pregnant Women: Is There An Association?

Background: Food craving is a common phenomenon during pregnancy, but explanation on how this behaviour can happen remains unclear. This behaviour may be influenced by personality traits that have been known to linked with obesity and addiction affecting pregnancy outcome. Therefore, we identified the prevalence of food craving and evaluated its relationship with personality traits in pregnant women. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 500 healthy pregnant women in urban area of Jakarta, Indonesia. Food cravings were assessed using a translated and validated Food Craving Inventory of Indonesian version. Personality traits were determined by using a Big Five Personality Trait Short Questionnaire that has been translated and validated for Indonesians. Association of personality traits and food cravings were analysed by binary logistic regression.Results: The mean age of pregnant women was 28.3 + 5.3 years. Food craving prevalence in in this population was 63.8%. The most common personality trait in this study was conscientiousness (65.5%). Neuroticism trait was significantly associated with food cravings with OR 9.146 [95% CI: 2.76-30.4; p-value <0.05]. Conclusion: Large proportion of Indonesian pregnant women had food craving living in urban area of Jakarta. A high neuroticism trait has a strong association with food cravings during pregnancy that indicates potential influence of personality traits to this problem. If personality traits influence the food choice in pregnant women, it may subsequently influence nutritional intake of the pregnant women and it may affect pregnancy outcome.

Managing the premenstrual body: a body mapping study of women’s negotiation of premenstrual food cravings and exercise

Background Women’s eating behaviours and exercise patterns have been found to fluctuate across the menstrual cycle, manifested by premenstrual food cravings and reduced exercise. However, the meaning and consequences of premenstrual changes in eating and exercise behaviours remains underexplored. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how women who feel negatively about their premenstrual bodies construct and experience premenstrual changes to eating and exercise practices, which disrupt their usual patterns of body management. Methods Four hundred and sixty women aged 18–45 completed an online survey in response to a Facebook advertisement targeted at women who feel negatively about their bodies during the premenstrual phase of the cycle. Participants reported moderate premenstrual distress, high body shame and high risk of disordered eating attitudes using standardised measures. Sixteen women reporting rich accounts of premenstrual body dissatisfaction were invited to participate in body-mapping, involving visually illustrating experiences on a life-sized outline of the body, followed by a telephone interview. Thematic analysis was used to explore qualitative survey, interview, and body-mapping data. Results and discussion Results found that outside of the premenstrual phase these women engaged in restrictive eating and intensive exercise behaviours, which were disrupted by premenstrual cravings, hunger, fatigue, pain and feeling physically uncomfortable. For a minority of the women, this facilitated self-care in reducing the strict management of their bodies during the premenstrual phase. Others experienced feelings of guilt, shame, self-disgust and pushed their bodies physically through increased exercise. Conclusions These findings emphasise the need to acknowledge changes in body management across the menstrual cycle, with implications for women’s mental health and feelings about the self. Internalisation of pressures placed on women to manage their bodies through restrictive eating behaviours and rigorous exercise plays a role in women’s premenstrual body dissatisfaction and distress. Plain English summary The current study aimed to explore how women who feel negatively about their premenstrual bodies construct and experience premenstrual changes to eating and exercise practices. Outside of the premenstrual phase these women engaged in restrictive eating and intensive exercise behaviours which were disrupted by premenstrual cravings, hunger, fatigue, pain and feeling physically uncomfortable. Some women allowed themselves to take a premenstrual break from their usual strict eating and exercise behaviours, whereas others felt guilt, shame, self-disgust and physically pushed their bodies through increased exercise. These findings emphasise that changes to eating and exercise behaviours across the menstrual cycle and pressures placed on women to manage their eating and exercise behaviours have implications for women’s premenstrual distress and body dissatisfaction.

Studying the relationship between tobacco use and eating behavior among Egyptian university students

Background Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. In addition to the independent risks related to cigarettes, smoking is highly associated with obesity-related behaviors including unhealthy diet. Despite the public health significance, little is known about mechanisms underlying with the paired relationship of smoking and unhealthy dietary behaviors. Aim of the Work This study aimed to Detect the relationship among smoking status and total and specific types of food cravings (i.e., high-fats, sweets, fast-food fats, and complex carbohydrates/starches), the influence of demographic, clinical, and psychological factors on this relationship and estimate the frequency of nicotine dependence among a sample of 420 egyptian students from 4 theoritical and 4 practical faculties in Ain Shams University Patients and Methods This is an observational Cross sectional study study conducted in 8 different faculties in Ain Shams University. The present study aimed at analyzing the demographic data of 420 egyptian university students, during the academic year 2018-2019.The severity of nicotine dependence among those students was assessed using Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), eating behavior was assessed using Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), Socio-Economic Status (SES) Scale for assessing socio-economic level and Eating Disorder Examination Scale for assessing eating disorders. Results Compared to never smokers, current smokers reported more frequent cravings for high-fat foods and fast-food fats, after controlling for BMI and demographic factors. Current smokers also reported consuming more high-fat foods and fast-food fats. Nicotine dependence was positively correlated with the frequency of general food cravings and cravings for high fats, sweets, and carbohydrates/starches. Conclusion Cigarette smokers, and especially those with higher nicotine dependence, may have greater difficulties in addressing food craving and changing eating habits

Efficacy of hypnotherapy on pain intensity and psychological distress among women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder, applicability of suggestions focused on cognitive flexibility and ego strength

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD is a health difficulty that is so similar to premenstrual syndrome PMS but is more serious Many women with PMDD may also have anxiety or depression, in this way, lasting irritability or anger that may affect other people, feelings of sadness or despair, or even thoughts of suicide, feelings of tension or anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings or crying often, lack of interest in daily activities and relationships, trouble thinking or focusing, tiredness or low energy, food cravings or binge eating, trouble sleeping, feeling out of control, physical symptoms such as cramps, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and joint or muscle pain are some of prevalent symptoms suffer women with PMDDMethods: The present research was a randomized controlled trial. In order to control variables pain intensity and psychological distress among patients with PMDD, the participants were selected accidently from female students of Shahed University of Tehran who consulted to psychology in order to assess their premenstrual symptoms and randomly divided into two groups. Each of groups encompassed 30 women between 20 up to 35-year-old whom diagnosed by PMDD via PSST from winter 2019 to spring 2020. In this study, one group received hypnotherapy and the other group received no intervention. Results: There are significant differences between the two groups. The efficacy of the procedure of hypnotherapy in the experimental group was more than that in the control group, (sig = 0.05).Conclusion The present study findings revealed that hypnotherapy with suggestions focused on cognitive flexibility and ego strength affected pain intensity and psychological distress among females with PMDD significantly. (sig=0.05)