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Relationship of cravings with weight loss and hunger: Results from a 6 month worksite weight loss intervention
Author(s) -
Batra Payal J,
Das Sai Krupa,
Salinardi Taylor,
Robinson Lisa,
Saltzman Edward,
Scott Tammy,
Pittas Anastassios,
Roberts Susan
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.231.3
Subject(s) - craving , food craving , weight loss , disinhibition , psychology , emotional eating , trait , obesity , weight change , eating behavior , clinical psychology , intervention (counseling) , association (psychology) , weight gain , medicine , body weight , psychiatry , addiction , endocrinology , computer science , programming language , psychotherapist
We examined the association of food cravings with weight loss and eating behaviors in a 6 month behavioral weight loss program conducted in 4 worksites. Assessments included non‐fasting body weight, food cravings (Craving Inventory and Food Craving Questionnaire for state and trait) and eating behavior constructs (Eating Inventory) and were completed by 95 participants. There were statistically significant reductions in all craving variables in the intervention group compared to the controls. Within the intervention group, changes in craving‐trait were significantly associated with weight change after controlling for baseline weight, age, gender and worksite. However, in a multivariate model with craving‐trait and eating behaviors (restraint, disinhibition and hunger), hunger was the only significant predictor of weight change. In contrast to several previous reports of increased food cravings with weight change, this study confirmed a broad reduction in cravings during weight change. In conclusion, reductions in craving‐trait were associated with weight change, but this association not significant when hunger was included in statistical models. Hunger control may directly influence both weight change and food cravings, and studies are needed to examine the effectiveness of hunger suppressing versus craving‐suppressing strategies in behavioral obesity treatment.