Abstract:Summary
This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to quantify the effects of laboratory‐based interventions targeting specific mechanisms of food craving, to identify moderators of effects, and to qualitatively summarize findings. The study was conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Sixty‐nine studies were included in the quantitative synthesis, and separate meta‐analyses were conducted for the outcomes self‐reported … Show more
“…As expected, craving ratings were significantly reduced in LATER versus NOW trials independent of reward cue-type and smoking status. This result is consistent with previous research testing intentional down-regulation strategies to target craving for food (Wolz et al, 2020), cigarettes (e.g., Kober et al, 2010; Zhao et al, 2012), or emotions in general (Morawetz et al, 2017). The present study adds to these studies in that it provides a direct comparison of craving regulation between NS und TUD.…”
Objective: Cognitive down-regulation of craving involves a neural network within the prefrontal cortex. Tobacco use disorder (TUD) and trait impulsivity have been associated with prefrontal cortex impairments and down-regulation deficits. However, general deficits in down-regulation of craving (regarding non-drugrelated cues) compared to never-smokers (NS), differential alterations between drug-related and non-drugrelated cues, as well as its links to subject characteristics (smoking severity, trait impulsivity) have so far sparsely been investigated in TUD. Method: In this study, 78 subjects (37 TUD & 42 NS) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a down-regulation of craving task. Two reward cue-types were presented (drug cues and alternative rewards). Subjects applied down-regulation of craving during a LATER condition and up-regulated their craving during a NOW condition. Subjective craving ratings were assessed after each trial. To evaluate down-regulation of craving, we investigated the LATER versus NOW condition. Results: TUD subjects showed no differences in down-regulation on a behavioral level, neither compared to NS nor between the two reward cue-types. On a neurofunctional level, we found a stronger BOLD response in the middle temporal gyrus in TUD subjects compared to NS in the alternative reward condition. No differences between the two reward cue-types were found within TUD subjects. During down-regulation across both reward cue-types, we identified significant negative associations between activation of control areas and smoking severity. Conclusions: Results neither indicate evidence for the expected general alterations in down-regulation of craving in TUD, compared to NS, nor specific alterations between drug-related and alternative reward cues on a neurofunctional level.
Public Health Significance StatementThis study shows that quitting motivated smokers can successfully down-regulate their craving for cigarettes by applying cognitive strategies. Compared to alternative rewards (within-subject comparison) and a group of never-smokers (between-subject comparison), we did not observe the expected alterations in quitting motivated smokers during down-regulation of craving, neither on a behavioral nor on a neurofunctional level. Within the group of quitting motivated smokers, results suggest that heavy smokers may show deficits during cognitive down-regulation of craving processes.
“…As expected, craving ratings were significantly reduced in LATER versus NOW trials independent of reward cue-type and smoking status. This result is consistent with previous research testing intentional down-regulation strategies to target craving for food (Wolz et al, 2020), cigarettes (e.g., Kober et al, 2010; Zhao et al, 2012), or emotions in general (Morawetz et al, 2017). The present study adds to these studies in that it provides a direct comparison of craving regulation between NS und TUD.…”
Objective: Cognitive down-regulation of craving involves a neural network within the prefrontal cortex. Tobacco use disorder (TUD) and trait impulsivity have been associated with prefrontal cortex impairments and down-regulation deficits. However, general deficits in down-regulation of craving (regarding non-drugrelated cues) compared to never-smokers (NS), differential alterations between drug-related and non-drugrelated cues, as well as its links to subject characteristics (smoking severity, trait impulsivity) have so far sparsely been investigated in TUD. Method: In this study, 78 subjects (37 TUD & 42 NS) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a down-regulation of craving task. Two reward cue-types were presented (drug cues and alternative rewards). Subjects applied down-regulation of craving during a LATER condition and up-regulated their craving during a NOW condition. Subjective craving ratings were assessed after each trial. To evaluate down-regulation of craving, we investigated the LATER versus NOW condition. Results: TUD subjects showed no differences in down-regulation on a behavioral level, neither compared to NS nor between the two reward cue-types. On a neurofunctional level, we found a stronger BOLD response in the middle temporal gyrus in TUD subjects compared to NS in the alternative reward condition. No differences between the two reward cue-types were found within TUD subjects. During down-regulation across both reward cue-types, we identified significant negative associations between activation of control areas and smoking severity. Conclusions: Results neither indicate evidence for the expected general alterations in down-regulation of craving in TUD, compared to NS, nor specific alterations between drug-related and alternative reward cues on a neurofunctional level.
Public Health Significance StatementThis study shows that quitting motivated smokers can successfully down-regulate their craving for cigarettes by applying cognitive strategies. Compared to alternative rewards (within-subject comparison) and a group of never-smokers (between-subject comparison), we did not observe the expected alterations in quitting motivated smokers during down-regulation of craving, neither on a behavioral nor on a neurofunctional level. Within the group of quitting motivated smokers, results suggest that heavy smokers may show deficits during cognitive down-regulation of craving processes.
“…This finding has important implications and suggests that COVID-19 dietary interventions should target improving craving control in people susceptible to increased HED sweet and savoury snack intake. Indeed, a meta-analysis of 69 laboratory based studies has shown that strategies such as imagining food cues and inhibitory control training reduces cravings and reduces food intake (Wolz, Nannt & Svaldi, 2020). It will be important for future studies to test whether such strategies are also effective for reducing intake for HED sweet and savoury foods during lockdowns.…”
Emerging evidence indicates that for some people, the COVID-19 lockdowns are a time of high risk for increased food intake. A clearer understanding of which individuals are most at risk of overeating during the lockdown period is needed to inform interventions that promote healthy diets and prevent weight gain during lockdowns. An online survey collected during the COVID-19 lockdown (total n=875; analysed n=588; 33.4±12.6 years; 82% UK-based; mostly white, educated, and not home schooling) investigated reported changes to the amount consumed and changes to intake of high energy dense (HED) sweet and savoury foods. The study also assessed which eating behaviour traits predicted a reported increase of HED sweet and savoury foods and tested whether coping responses moderated this relationship. Results showed that 48% of participants reported increased food intake in response to the COVID-19 lockdown. There was large individual variability in reported changes and lower craving control was the strongest predictor of increased HED sweet and savoury food intake. Low cognitive restraint also predicted greater increases in HED sweet snacks and HED savoury meal foods. Food responsiveness, enjoyment of food, emotional undereating, emotional overeating and satiety responsiveness were not significant predictors of changes to HED sweet and savoury food intake. High scores on acceptance coping responses attenuated the conditional effects of craving control on HED sweet snack intake. Consistent with previous findings, the current research suggests that low craving control is a risk factor for increased snack food intake during lockdown and may therefore represent a target for intervention.
“…Studies that investigated the neurobiological basis of binge eating reported an enhanced attentional bias towards food stimuli, alterations in the reward system, and impairments in cognitive functions (e.g., poor inhibitory control skills towards food; Kessler et al [ 47 ], Smith et al [ 81 ]). Thus, Wolz et al [ 104 ] showed that training inhibitory control through behavioral inhibition might be effective in reducing subjective craving and food intake. Our first mediation model showed no significant direct link between exposure to social media and food craving.…”
Background
Young adults are increasingly exposed to social media and their image/video-based activities. They use these platforms to share images, videos and advice in different fields like food and nutrition with: recipe ideas, nutritional opinions or specific diets. Along with the rise of digital technologies, the prevalence of eating disorders in young adults continues to grow. The present study analyzes the psychological and eating processes through which exposure to social media may lead to the development of food craving and problematic eating behaviors.
Methods
A total of 103 young adult men (n = 15) and women (n = 88) answered questionnaires measuring their impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), eating habits (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire), food craving (Food Cravings Questionnaire-Trait-reduced), and time exposure to social media.
Results
The results showed two significant serial mediations. We found a correlational link between time exposure to social media and food craving scores. This positive relation is indirectly mediated by cognitive impulsivity. We also found a positive correlation between cognitive impulsivity and food craving scores that was mediated by cognitive restraint.
Conclusion
A better understanding of the existing links between social media, food craving and eating behaviors such as cognitive restraint could help researchers and clinicians to better guide young adults in their use and appropriation of social media food contents.
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