Power of Food Scale in association with weight outcomes and dieting in a nationally representative cohort of U.S. young adults

Abstract

Food reward sensitivity may influence susceptibility to overeating in a permissive food environment, contributing to unintended weight gain and intentional weight loss behavior. This study examined associations of food reward sensitivity, assessed by the Power of Food Scale (PFS), with weight outcomes and dieting in a nationally representative cohort of U.S. emerging adults. Wave 5 (W5, 5th year of follow-up) respondents from the NEXT Generation Health Study were included (N=2202, W5 age=20.3±0.02 years). Baseline and W5 BMI, W5 weight status (normal weight=18.5≤BMI<25, overweight=25≤BMI<30, obese=BMI≥30), BMI change (W5-baseline BMI) and onset of overweight or obesity (OWOB) were calculated from self-reported height and weight. PFS (aggregate and 3 domain scores: food available, present, and tasted) and dieting for weight-loss were assessed at W5. Adjusted linear regressions estimated associations of PFS with W5 BMI and BMI change. Log-binomial regressions estimated associations of high W5 BMI (≥25), OWOB onset and dieting with PFS. Post hoc analyses estimated associations of PFS with W5 perceived weight status (overweight vs. about right or underweight). W5 BMI=25.73±0.32 kg/m2, and OWOB onset occurred in 27.7% of participants. The PFS-food available score was associated with BMI change, β±SE=0.41±0.19. Other PFS scores were not associated with weight outcomes. Dieting prevalence was higher in participants with high versus low W5 BMI (61% versus 32%), and was positively associated with all PFS scores except the PFS-food tasted score, e.g., relative risk (RR) of dieting for PFS-aggregate=1.13, 95%CI [1.01-1.26]. Post-hoc analyses indicated perceived overweight was positively associated with PFS-food available, 1.12, [1.01-1.24], and PFS-food present, 1.13, [1.03-1.24]. PFS was positively related to dieting and perceived overweight, but not concurrent or change in weight status in a representative cohort of U.S. emerging adults.

Impact of expanded diagnostic criteria for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder on clinical comparisons with anorexia nervosa

“…Interestingly, the AN and ARFID groups showed distinct response patterns on the PFS. AN and ARFID groups scored similarly on the Food Tasted and Food Present subscales but lower than published means in a community sample of adults (Lipsky et al, 2016), indicating that neither clinical group reported high levels of pleasure in eating or difficulty in resisting eating palatable foods. However, individuals with AN scored higher than those with ARFID on the Food Available subscale, suggesting that those with AN report higher urges to eat and thoughts about food when food is not present than those with ARFID.…”

Patterns of weight loss and their determinants in a sample of adults with overweight and obesity intending to lose weight

“…Psychological factors may affect weight loss indirectly by influencing weight loss‐related behaviours . To date, only one previous study has investigated the relation between power of food and weight loss in a non‐clinical sample . In contrast to our findings, no association was found .…”

“…To date, only one previous study has investigated the relation between power of food and weight loss in a non‐clinical sample . In contrast to our findings, no association was found . However, power of food is associated with dieting behaviour and greater risk of perceived overweight .…”

“…32 In contrast to our findings, no association was found. 32 However, power of food is associated with dieting behaviour and greater risk of perceived overweight. 32,33 While there is an evidence that dieting is effective in initial weight loss, the majority of studies show that dieting is ineffective in weight loss maintenance.…”

Uncontrolled eating: a unifying heritable trait linked with obesity, overeating, personality and the brain

“…Individuals who exhibit high scores in uncontrolled eating at baseline generally tend to gain weight over time (French et al, 2012; Figure 2A, line 4). Longitudinal studies have observed this trend using questionnaires reflecting (i) emotional eating (Van Strien et al, 2013;Boggiano et al, 2015), (ii) binge eating (Quick et al, 2013;Micali et al, 2014), (iii) disinhibited eating (Hays et al, 2002;Chaput et al, 2010Chaput et al, , 2011, (iv) feelings of hunger (Hays et al, 2006) and (v) food reward sensitivity (Lipsky et al, 2016). Additionally, scores in uncontrolled eating seem to predict weight outcomes in clinical populations undergoing weight loss treatments.…”