Psychological and Physiological Characteristics of Sweet Food "Addiction".
From: Department of Clinical Physiology, Medical School, University of Tampere, Finland.
The International journal of eating disorders
- Publish Date: Mar 1999
- ISSN: 0276-3478
- Volume: 25
- Issue: 2
- Pages: 169-75
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Tuomisto T, Hetherington M M, Morris M F, et al. Psychological and Physiological Characteristics of Sweet Food "Addiction".. Mar 1999;25:169-75
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Drug addicts in general can be distinguished from nonaddicts by their affective and physiological and craving responses to drug-related cues. The purpose of this study was to examine similar affective, physiological, and behavioral variables in chocolate “addicts” and control subjects. METHODS: Sixteen addicts and 15 control subjects took part in two laboratory experiments in which their heart rate, salivation, and self-reported responses were measured. RESULTS: In the presence of external chocolate cues, chocolate addicts were more aroused, reported greater cravings, experienced more negative affect, and also ate more chocolate than control subjects. Self-report measures on eating attitudes and behavior, body image, and depression confirmed that a relationship exists between “chocolate addiction” and problem eating. Chocolate addicts showed more aberrant eating behaviors and attitudes than controls, and were also significantly more depressed. DISCUSSION: Chocolate addicts may be considered to be a parallel with addicts generally, because they differ from controls in craving for chocolate, eating behavior, and psychopathology (in respect of eating and affect).
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Adult, Aged, Behavior, Addictive, Cacao, Depressive Disorder, Eating Disorders, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Middle Aged
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 10065394
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