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Schroeder PA, Collantoni E, Lohmann J, Butz MV, Plewnia C. Virtual reality assessment of a high-calorie food bias: Replication and food-specificity in healthy participants. Behav Brain Res 2024; 471:115096. [PMID: 38849007 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theoretical models and behavioural studies indicate faster approach behaviour for high-calorie food (approach bias) among healthy participants. A previous study with Virtual Reality (VR) and online motion-capture quantified this approach bias towards food and non-food cues in a controlled VR environment with hand movements. The aim of this study was to test the specificity of a manual approach bias for high-calorie food in grasp movements compared to low-calorie food and neutral objects of different complexity, namely, simple balls and geometrically more complex office tools. METHODS In a VR setting, healthy participants (N = 27) repeatedly grasped or pushed high-calorie food, low-calorie food, balls and office tools in randomized order with 30 item repetitions. All objects were rated for valence and arousal. RESULTS High-calorie food was less attractive and more arousing in subjective ratings than low-calorie food and neutral objects. Movement onset was faster for high-calorie food in push-trials, but overall push responses were comparable. In contrast, responses to high-calorie food relative to low-calorie food and to control objects were faster in grasp trials for later stages of interaction (grasp and collect). Non-parametric tests confirmed an approach bias for high-calorie food. CONCLUSION A behavioural bias for food was specific to high-calorie food objects. The results confirm the presence of bottom-up advantages in motor-cognitive behaviour for high-calorie food in a non-clinical population. More systematic variations of object fidelity and in clinical populations are outstanding. The utility of VR in assessing approach behaviour is confirmed in this study by exploring manual interactions in a controlled environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp A Schroeder
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Schleichstr. 4, Tübingen 72076, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany.
| | - Enrico Collantoni
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Italy
| | - Johannes Lohmann
- Cognitive Modeling, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Martin V Butz
- Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Schleichstr. 4, Tübingen 72076, Germany; Cognitive Modeling, Department of Computer Science, University of Tübingen, Sand 14, Tübingen 72076, Germany
| | - Christian Plewnia
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Neurophysiology & Interventional Neuropsychiatry, University of Tübingen, Calwerstr. 14, Tübingen 72076, Germany
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2
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Wimmer J, Rösch SA, Schmidt R, Hilbert A. Neurofeedback strategies in binge-eating disorder as predictors of EEG-neurofeedback regulation success. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1234085. [PMID: 38021247 PMCID: PMC10645064 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1234085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Treatment options such as neurofeedback (NF) that directly target the link between aberrant brain activity patterns and dysfunctional eating behaviors in binge-eating disorder (BED) are emerging. However, virtually nothing is known about mental strategies used to modulate food-specific brain activity and the associated brain-based or subjective success of specific strategies. This study firstly investigated the use of mental strategies in response to individually appetitive food cues in adults with BED and overweight or obesity based on a randomized-controlled trial providing electroencephalography (EEG)- or real-time functional near-infrared spectroscopy (rtfNIRS)-NF to BED. Methods Strategy reports written by participants were classified with qualitative content analysis. Additionally, the mental strategies employed by the N = 23 patients who received EEG-NF targeting the reduction of fronto-central high beta activity were analyzed quantitatively through their link with subjective and EEG-NF regulation success. Results The following eight categories, ordered by frequency in descending order, were found: "Behavior," "Imagination," "Emotion," "Distraction," "Thought," "Concentration," "Self-Talk" and "No Strategy." Linear mixed models revealed "Imagination," "Behavior," and "Thought" strategies as positive predictors of EEG-NF regulation success (defined as high beta activity during regulation beneath the baseline), and "Concentration" as a negative predictor of subjective (i.e., self-reported) NF regulation success. Discussion In conclusion, our study offers a classification system that may be used in future studies assessing strategy use for regulating food-related responses in patients with BED and associated overweight/obesity, providing valuable information on potential benefits of specific strategies and transferability to situations outside the NF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jytte Wimmer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Alica Rösch
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School NeuroCom, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Behavioral Medicine Research Unit, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
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Xia X, Pi Y, Xia J, Li Y, Shi Q, Zhang J, Tan X. Bilateral motor cortex functional differences in left-handed approaching-avoiding behavior. Psychophysiology 2023; 60:e14194. [PMID: 36250797 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.14194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Automatic action tendencies occur at behavioral and neurophysiological levels during task performance with the dominant right hand, with shorter reaction times (RTs) and higher excitability of the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) during automatic vs. regulated behavior. However, effects associated with the non-dominant left-hand in approaching-avoiding behavior remain unclear. Here, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation during the performance by 18 participants of an approaching-avoiding task using the non-dominant left hand. Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was applied over left or right M1 at 150 and 300 ms after the onset of an emotional stimulus. RTs and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded. Significant automatic action tendencies were observed at the behavioral level. Higher MEP amplitudes were detected 150 ms after stimulus onset from the right hand (non-task hand, corresponding to left M1) during regulated behavior compared with during automatic behavior. However, no significant modulation was found for MEP amplitudes from the left hand (task hand, corresponding to right M1). These findings suggested that left M1 may play a principal role in the early phase of mediating left-handed movement toward an emotional stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Xia
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.,Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yanling Pi
- Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Xia
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Yansong Li
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingde Shi
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sports, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoying Tan
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Sports, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, China
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4
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Brandt G, Halbeisen G, Braks K, Huber TJ, Paslakis G. Gender differences in individuals with obesity and binge eating disorder: A retrospective comparison of phenotypical features and treatment outcomes. EUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW 2023; 31:413-424. [PMID: 36802088 DOI: 10.1002/erv.2972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Phenotypical comparisons between individuals with obesity without binge eating disorder (OB) and individuals with obesity and comorbid binge eating disorder (OB + BED) are subject to ongoing investigations. At the same time, gender-related differences have rarely been explored, raising the question whether men and women with OB and OB + BED may require differently tailored treatments. METHOD We retrospectively compared pre- versus post-treatment data in a matched sample of n = 180 men and n = 180 women with OB or OB + BED who received inpatient treatment. RESULTS We found that men displayed higher weight loss than women independent of diagnostic group. In addition, men with OB + BED showed higher weight loss than men with OB after 7 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The present findings add to an emerging yet overall still sparse body of studies comparing phenotypical features and treatment outcomes in men and women with OB and OB + BED; implications for further research are discussed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION The study was prospectively registered with the German Clinical Trial Register as part of application DRKS00028441.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerrit Brandt
- University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Campus East-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Luebbecke, Germany
| | - Georg Halbeisen
- University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Campus East-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Luebbecke, Germany
| | - Karsten Braks
- Centre for Eating Disorders, Klinik am Korso, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Thomas J Huber
- Centre for Eating Disorders, Klinik am Korso, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Campus East-Westphalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Luebbecke, Germany
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Basanovic J, Dondzilo L, Rudaizky D, Van Bockstaele B. EXPRESS: Reliability and Convergence of Approach/Avoidance Bias Assessment Tasks in the Food Consumption Domain. Q J Exp Psychol (Hove) 2022; 76:968-978. [PMID: 35658700 DOI: 10.1177/17470218221108270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Theories of motivation posit that people will more readily approach positive or appetitive stimuli, and there has been growing interest in the relationship between biases in approach and avoidance behaviours for food cues and food craving and consumption behaviour. Two paradigms commonly employed by research to investigate this relationship are the Approach Avoidance Task (AAT) and the Stimulus Response Compatibility Task (SRCT). However, it is yet to be determined whether the measures yielded by these tasks reflect the same processes operating in the food craving and consumption domain. The present study examined the internal reliability and convergence of AAT and SRCT paradigms in their assessment of biased approach to unhealthy compared to healthy food stimuli, and whether the measures yielded by the AAT and SRCT paradigms demonstrated associations with individual differences in food craving and eating behaviour. One hundred and twenty-one participants completed an SRCT, an AAT using an arm movement response mode, and an AAT using a key-press response mode. The measures yielded comparable and acceptable levels of internal consistency, but convergence between the different task bias scores was modest or absent, and only approach bias as measured with the AAT task using an arm movement response mode was associated with self-report measures of eating behaviour and trait food craving. Thus, tasks did not converge strongly enough to be considered equivalent measures of approach/avoidance biases, and the AAT task using an arm movement response seems uniquely suited to detecting approach biases argued to characterise maladaptive eating behaviour and craving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Basanovic
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia 2720
| | - Laura Dondzilo
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia 2720
| | - Daniel Rudaizky
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia 2720
| | - Bram Van Bockstaele
- Centre for the Advancement of Research on Emotion, School of Psychological Science, The University of Western Australia 2720
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The roles of implicit approach motivation and explicit reward in excessive and problematic use of social networking sites. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264738. [PMID: 35294452 PMCID: PMC8926255 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite growing concerns about the addictive potential of social networking sites (SNSs), little is known about the precise neural, cognitive, and emotional processes underpinning compulsive SNS behaviours, such as excessive checking of SNSs. Recent evidence points to the important role of reward in SNS behaviours and one avenue to examine reward processes related to SNSs is the use of behavioural paradigms that allow for the measurement of implicit motivational responses, such as the approach avoidance task (AAT). The AAT has been successfully utilised to capture changes in unconscious reward processes in substance use disorders and other behavioural addictions, with faster approach reactions to addiction-related stimuli reflecting increased wanting/urges to have/consume the reward. In the present study 411 young adults completed an online Visual Approach/Avoidance by the Self Task (VAAST) with social media and control logos as well as other subjective (explicit) measures of reward experience related to SNSs. Our results showed that across participants SNS logos elicited strong approach reactions (compared to control stimuli) and that stronger SNS approach tendencies predicted more frequent SNS checking. Importantly, increased approach motivation was not associated with more problematic use. However, both checking frequency and problematic use were related to alterations of explicit reward processing, including the subjective experience of SNS urges or wanting. We conclude that changes in automatic approach motivation towards SNS stimuli are common in most SNS users, which suggests that implicit imbuement of social media with reward has become pervasive among young adults. Problematic SNS use however may be more reliably indicated by changes in explicit reward processing, such as subjective wanting.
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Li Y, Xia X, Yu A, Xu H, Zhang C. Duration of an acute moderate-intensity exercise session affects approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity. Appetite 2022; 172:105955. [PMID: 35122877 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.105955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is partly driven by unhealthy eating behaviors underpinned by an approach bias toward high-calorie food. Although exercise is a useful strategy for weight loss among individuals with obesity, whether exercise modulates this approach bias is unclear. This study assessed whether the duration of an acute moderate-intensity exercise altered the approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity. In total, 24 individuals with obesity were included in this study with a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design. Participants completed three sessions of 30, 45, or 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (40%-59% of heart rate reserve) on an elliptical trainer or completed a control rest session for 55 minutes. Food approach bias was evaluated using a joystick-based approach-avoidance task immediately before and after each session. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. We found that compared with that before exercise, the approach bias score toward high-calorie food was significantly decreased only in the 45-minute exercise session (p = .015) and that this score was also significantly lower than that after both the 60-minute exercise session (p = .002) and the control session (p = .024). These findings suggest a dose-response relationship between exercise duration and approach bias, with 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise being an effective strategy for decreasing the approach bias toward high-calorie food among individuals with obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Li
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Xia
- School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Anqi Yu
- Shanghai Dianfeng Institute of Fat Lose, Shanghai, China
| | - Huangmei Xu
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunhua Zhang
- School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
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8
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Verzijl CL, Gius B, Schlauch R, Rancourt D. The transdiagnostic role of food craving: An application of substance use models. Appetite 2021; 170:105867. [PMID: 34915105 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Food craving is a transdiagnostic process underlying clinically significant disordered eating behaviors and eating disorder diagnoses. However, the lack of literature examining the role of food craving as it relates to the full spectrum of disordered eating behaviors, including restrictive eating and compensatory behaviors, may be due to the traditional definition of food craving as the desire to consume particular foods. Applying motivational models of substance use craving to food craving may help to explain inconsistencies within existing literature. Three motivational models of craving from the substance use literature may be particularly applicable to (1) provide a clear definition of food craving as a motivational process, (2) understand the role of that motivational process as it underlies the full spectrum of disordered eating behavioral patterns, (3) provide insight for the most appropriate ways in which to accurately assess food craving, and (4) establish ways in which food craving may represent a useful motivational process to target in eating disorder treatments. This narrative review describes three models of substance use craving and provides suggestions for utilizing motivational models to understand the transdiagnostic role of food craving as it relates to the full spectrum of disordered eating behaviors in both research and clinical work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina L Verzijl
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA.
| | - Becky Gius
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Robert Schlauch
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
| | - Diana Rancourt
- Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, 4202 East Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA
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Krehbiel J, Halbeisen G, Kühn S, Erim Y, Paslakis G. Too hot to handle: Mood states moderate implicit approach vs. avoidance tendencies toward food cues in patients with obesity and active binge eating disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 143:302-308. [PMID: 34530341 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) display recurring episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, especially during negative mood states. However, the psychological processes linking negative mood to binge eating behavior have not been sufficiently explored. This study investigated the effects of experimentally inducing a negative (sad) mood state upon reaction times in a computerized Approach-Avoidance-Task (AAT) using images of foods and compared to a neutral control procedure in which negative mood was not induced. Differences in reaction times between "pulling" and "pushing away" food cues in the AAT were considered surrogates for fast, automatic (i.e., implicit) preferences ("bias") for either the approach or avoidance of foods. Obese patients with BED (n = 40), weight-matched (obese) individuals (n = 40), and norm-weight controls (n = 29) were asked to approach ("pull") or avoid ("push") images of high- and low-calorie foods following the induction of a negative mood state vs. the neutral control procedure. Sample size was within the common range of previous investigations of the kind. Similar to previous findings, obese patients with BED exhibited an avoidance bias (i.e., faster reaction times in "pushing" compared to "pulling") during the neutral control condition. However, a contrast analysis revealed that negative mood was associated with decreased avoidance bias in obese patients with BED, but not in obese and norm-weight controls. Mood status exerted no effect on BED patients' self-reported (i.e., explicit) ratings of the urge to consume foods. These findings may help to advance current understanding of how negative (sad) mood states may affect binge eating behaviors. Implications of these findings for developing novel treatment approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Krehbiel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Halbeisen
- University Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-University Bochum, Campus East-Westphalia, Lübbecke, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Lise Meiter Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany; University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- University Clinic of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Ruhr-University Bochum, Campus East-Westphalia, Lübbecke, Germany.
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Sommer LM, Halbeisen G, Erim Y, Paslakis G. Two of a Kind? Mapping the Psychopathological Space between Obesity with and without Binge Eating Disorder. Nutrients 2021; 13:3813. [PMID: 34836069 PMCID: PMC8625654 DOI: 10.3390/nu13113813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Obesity (OB) is a frequent co-morbidity in Binge Eating Disorder (BED), suggesting that both conditions share phenotypical features along a spectrum of eating-related behaviors. However, the evidence is inconsistent. This study aimed to comprehensively compare OB-BED patients against OB individuals without BED and healthy, normal-weight controls in general psychopathological features, eating-related phenotypes, and early life experiences. (2) Methods: OB-BED patients (n = 37), OB individuals (n = 50), and controls (n = 44) completed a battery of standardized questionnaires. Responses were analyzed using univariate comparisons and dimensionality reduction techniques (linear discriminant analysis, LDA). (3) Results: OB-BED patients showed the highest scores across assessments (e.g., depression, emotional and stress eating, food cravings, food addiction). OB-BED patients did not differ from OB individuals in terms of childhood traumatization or attachment styles. The LDA revealed a two-dimensional solution that distinguished controls from OB and OB-BED in terms of increasing problematic eating behaviors and attitudes, depression, and childhood adversities, as well as OB-BED from OB groups in terms of emotional eating tendencies and self-regulation impairments. (4) Conclusions: Findings support the idea of a shared spectrum of eating-related disorders but also highlight important distinctions relevant to identifying and treating BED in obese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marie Sommer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.M.S.); (Y.E.)
| | - Georg Halbeisen
- University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Campus East-Westfalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Virchowstr. 65, 32312 Luebbecke, Germany;
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; (L.M.S.); (Y.E.)
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- University Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty, Campus East-Westfalia, Ruhr-University Bochum, Virchowstr. 65, 32312 Luebbecke, Germany;
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Healthiness matters: Approach motivation for healthy food in overweight and obese individuals. Appetite 2021; 168:105760. [PMID: 34662602 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2021.105760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
It is well documented that approach tendencies for appetitive substances play a role in certain unhealthy patterns of consumption. However, it remains uncertain whether overweight individuals differ from healthy-weight individuals in terms of their tendency to approach unhealthy foods. Thus, the present study aimed to empirically test the hypothesis that overweight individuals are characterised by an elevated behavioural tendency to approach unhealthy food, rather than healthy food, as compared to healthy-weight individuals. Participants were forty-one overweight individuals (Mean BMI = 30.40 kg/m2) and forty-five healthy-weight individuals (Mean BMI = 22.17 kg/m2) aged between 17 and 47. They completed an Approach-Avoidance Task to assess behavioural approach-avoidance tendencies towards healthy and unhealthy food. Contrary to the hypothesis under test, results revealed a greater approach tendency towards healthy food in overweight individuals, as compared to healthy-weight individuals, whereas there were no group differences in behavioural approach-avoidance tendencies towards unhealthy food. These novel findings suggest that overweight individuals are characterised by an approach motivation for healthy food. We provide suggestions concerning how future researchers can build on these findings to test whether this approach tendency contributes to consumption behaviour in overweight individuals.
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van Alebeek H, Kahveci S, Blechert J. Improving the touchscreen-based food approach-avoidance task: remediated block-order effects and initial findings regarding validity. OPEN RESEARCH EUROPE 2021; 1:15. [PMID: 37645212 PMCID: PMC10445824 DOI: 10.12688/openreseurope.13241.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Approach biases to foods may explain why food consumption often diverges from deliberate dietary intentions. Yet, the assessment of behavioural biases with the approach-avoidance tasks (AAT) is often unreliable and validity is partially unclear. The present study continues a series of studies that develop a task based on naturalistic approach and avoidance movements on a touchscreen (hand-AAT). In the hand-AAT, participants are instructed to respond based on the food/non-food distinction, thereby ensuring attention to the stimuli. Yet, this implies the use of instruction switches (i.e., 'approach food - avoid objects' to 'avoid food - approach objects'), which introduce order effects. The present study increased the number of instruction switches to potentially minimize order effects, and re-examined reliability. We additionally included the implicit association task (IAT) and several self-reported eating behaviours to investigate the task's validity. Results replicated the presence of reliable approach biases to foods irrespective of instruction order. Evidence for validity, however, was mixed: biases correlated positively with external eating, increase in food craving and aggregated image valence ratings but not with desire to eat ratings of the individual images considered within participants or the IAT. We conclude that the hand-AAT can reliably assess approach biases to foods that are relevant to self-reported eating patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah van Alebeek
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sercan Kahveci
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Paris-Lodron-University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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13
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Paslakis G, Scholz-Hehn AD, Sommer LM, Kühn S. Implicit bias to food and body cues in eating disorders: a systematic review. Eat Weight Disord 2021; 26:1303-1321. [PMID: 32770476 PMCID: PMC8128803 DOI: 10.1007/s40519-020-00974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rigid, restrictive eating patterns, fear of gaining weight, body image concerns, but also binge eating episodes with loss of control leading to overweight, at times followed by compensatory measures to control weight, are typical symptoms in eating disorders (EDs). The regulation of food intake in EDs may underlie explicit processes that require cognitive insight and conscious control or be steered by implicit mechanisms that are mostly automatic, rapid, and associated with affective-rather than cognitive-processing. While introspection is not capable of assessing implicit responses, so-called indirect experimental tasks can assess implicit responses underlying a specific behavior by-passing the participant's consciousness. Here, we aimed to present the current evidence regarding studies on implicit biases to food and body cues in patients with EDs. METHODS We performed a systematic review (PRISMA guidelines). We included controlled studies performed in clinical ED cohorts (vs. healthy control subjects or another control condition, e.g., restrictive vs. binge/purge AN) and using at least one indirect assessment method of interest. RESULTS Out of 115 screened publications, we identified 29 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria, and present a synthesis of the essential findings and future directions. CONCLUSION In this emerging field of research, the present work provides cornerstones of evidence highlighting aspects of implicit regulation in eating disorders. Applying both direct (e.g., self-reports) and indirect measures for the assessment of both explicit and implicit responses is necessary for a comprehensive investigation of the interplay between these different regulatory mechanisms and eating behavior. Targeted training of implicit reactions is already in use and represents a useful future tool as an add-on to standard psychotherapeutic treatments in the battle against eating disorders. EVIDENCE LEVEL 1 (systematic review).
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Paslakis
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada. .,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Christian-Albrechts-University, Niemannsweg 147, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Anne Deborah Scholz-Hehn
- University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Laura Marie Sommer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Lescher M, Wegmann E, Müller SM, Laskowski NM, Wunder R, Jiménez-Murcia S, Szycik GR, de Zwaan M, Müller A. A Randomized Study of Food Pictures-Influenced Decision-Making Under Ambiguity in Individuals With Morbid Obesity. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:822. [PMID: 33061909 PMCID: PMC7518028 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS In addition to craving responses to salient food cues, the anticipation of short-term rewarding consumption of palatable food may overrun the anticipation of long-term negative consequences of obesity. The present investigation addressed the potential interplay of food cravings and decision-making abilities in individuals with obesity. METHOD Study 1 included 107 bariatric surgery candidates with class 2/3 obesity (OB-group) and study 2 included 54 individuals with normal weight/pre-obesity (nonOB-group). In both studies, standardized questionnaires concerning food cravings, food addiction, and psychopathology were administered. A cue-reactivity paradigm was used to measure craving responses toward semi-individualized images of highly palatable, processed food/fruit (appetitive food cues) compared to images of raw vegetables (non-appetitive food cues). Decision-making was measured with a modified computerized version of the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) with food pictures. Both groups were divided into two subgroups that were randomized to different IGT conditions. In one IGT condition the advantageous IGT card decks were covered by pictures of palatable, processed food or fruit and the disadvantageous decks by images of raw vegetables (= congruent condition), and in the other IGT condition vice versa. RESULTS Participants in the OB-group admitted on average higher craving responses toward palatable, processed food or fruit cues compared to pictures of raw vegetables. This was not the case in the nonOB-group. Contrary to our hypothesis, decision-making performance in both groups was worse when pictures of palatable, processed food or fruit were associated with advantageous IGT card decks compared to performance when those pictures were linked to the disadvantageous decks. The interference effect of food pictures processing on advantageous decision-making has been observed particularly in those individuals of the OB-group who exhibited high craving responses toward palatable, processed food cues or high levels of food addiction. DISCUSSION The results indicate that food pictures processing interferes with decision-making, regardless of weight status. Opposed to the hypothesis, stronger tendencies to avoid than to approach pictures presenting processed, tasty food were observed. Further research should examine how cognitive avoidance tendencies toward processed, high energy food and approach tendencies toward healthy food can be transferred to real life situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Lescher
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elisa Wegmann
- General Psychology: Cognition and Center for Behavioral Addiction Research (CeBAR), University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Silke M Müller
- General Psychology: Cognition and Center for Behavioral Addiction Research (CeBAR), University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Nora M Laskowski
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ruth Wunder
- Surgical Department, Clementinenhaus, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susana Jiménez-Murcia
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Bellvitge-IDIBELL and CIBEROBN, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gregor R Szycik
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina de Zwaan
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Astrid Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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15
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Fricke K, Vogel S. How interindividual differences shape approach-avoidance behavior: Relating self-report and diagnostic measures of interindividual differences to behavioral measurements of approach and avoidance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 111:30-56. [PMID: 31954150 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Responding to stimuli in ambiguous environments is partially governed by approach-avoidance tendencies. Imbalances in these approach-avoidance behaviors are implicated in many mental disorders including anxiety disorders, phobias and substance use disorders. While factors biasing human behavior in approach-avoidance conflicts have been researched in numerous experiments, a much-needed comprehensive overview integrating those findings is missing. Here, we systematically searched the existing literature on individual differences in task-based approach-avoidance behavior and aggregated the current evidence for the effect of self-reported approach/avoidance traits, anxiety and anxiety disorders, specific phobias, depression, aggression, anger and psychopathy, substance use and related disorders, eating disorders and habits, trauma, acute stress and, finally, hormone levels (mainly testosterone, oxytocin). We highlight consistent findings, underrepresented research areas and unexpected results, and detail the amount of controversy between studies. We discuss potential reasons for ambiguous results in some research areas, offer practical advice for future studies and highlight potential variables such as task-related researcher decisions that may influence how interindividual differences and disorders drive automatic approach-avoidance biases in behavioral experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Fricke
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Susanne Vogel
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Hamburg, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457, Hamburg, Germany
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16
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Gordon G, Brockmeyer T, Schmidt U, Campbell IC. Combining cognitive bias modification training (CBM) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to treat binge eating disorder: study protocol of a randomised controlled feasibility trial. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e030023. [PMID: 31640997 PMCID: PMC6830595 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Binge eating disorder (BED) is a common mental disorder, closely associated with obesity. Existing treatments are only moderately effective with high relapse rates, necessitating novel interventions. This paper describes the rationale for, and protocol of, a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT), evaluating the combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and a computerised cognitive training, namely approach bias modification training (ABM), in patients with BED who are overweight or obese. The aim of this trial is to obtain information that will guide decision-making and protocol development in relation to a future large-scale RCT of combined tDCS+ABM treatment in this group of patients, and also to assess the preliminary efficacy of this intervention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS 66 participants with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 diagnosis of BED and a body mass index (BMI) of ≥25 kg/m2 will be randomly allocated to one of three groups: ABM+real tDCS; ABM+sham tDCS or a wait-list control group. Participants in both intervention groups will receive six sessions of ABM+real/sham tDCS over 3 weeks; engaging in the ABM task while simultaneously receiving bilateral tDCS to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. ABM is based on an implicit learning paradigm in which participants are trained to enact an avoidance behaviour in response to visual food cues. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment (3 weeks) and follow-up (7 weeks post-randomisation). Feasibility outcomes assess recruitment and retention rates, acceptability of random allocation, blinding success (allocation concealment), completion of treatment sessions and research assessments. Other outcomes include eating disorder psychopathology and related neurocognitive outcomes (ie, delay of gratification and inhibitory control), BMI, other psychopathology (ie, mood), approach bias towards food and surrogate endpoints (ie, food cue reactivity, trait food craving and food intake). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has been approved by the North West-Liverpool East Research Ethics Committee. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ISRCTN35717198.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Gordon
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Timo Brockmeyer
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Gottingen, Goettingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Iain C Campbell
- Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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17
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Wollenhaupt C, Wilke L, Erim Y, Rauh M, Steins-Loeber S, Paslakis G. The association of leptin secretion with cognitive performance in patients with eating disorders. Psychiatry Res 2019; 276:269-277. [PMID: 31125904 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
This study is an investigation of neuropsychological performance in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder and hormonal secretion patterns for ghrelin, leptin, insulin, and glucose. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in a cohort of n = 30 female patients suffering from eating disorders as well as n = 20 control females. All participants underwent the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), the Trail Making Test (TMT), and a go/no-go task using food vs. neutral stimuli. Patients with anorexia nervosa differed from controls in their leptin response to the OGTT. While the four groups under investigation did not differ in neuropsychological performance, we found leptin responses to the OGTT to be associated with performance in the food-specific go/no-go task. These preliminary results may indicate a putative association between leptin concentrations and neuropsychological performance, particularly in measures of inhibitory control. Further studies investigating the role of leptin in impulsive behaviors in eating disorders would be useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Wollenhaupt
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Leonhard Wilke
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Yesim Erim
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabine Steins-Loeber
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg, Markusplatz 3, Bamberg 96047, Germany
| | - Georgios Paslakis
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen 91054, Germany; Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8 Canada.
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18
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Approach–avoidance tendencies towards food: Measurement on a touchscreen and the role of attention and food craving. Appetite 2019; 137:145-151. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Assessment of Automatically Activated Approach–Avoidance Biases Across Appetitive Substances. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-019-00254-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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20
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Meule A, Richard A, Lender A, Dinic R, Brockmeyer T, Rinck M, Blechert J. Measuring approach-avoidance tendencies towards food with touchscreen-based arm movements. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2019; 84:1789-1800. [PMID: 31055649 PMCID: PMC7479004 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-019-01195-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Most tasks for measuring automatic approach-avoidance tendencies do not resemble naturalistic approach-avoidance behaviors. Therefore, we developed a paradigm for the assessment of approach-avoidance tendencies towards palatable food, which is based on arm and hand movements on a touchscreen, thereby mimicking real-life grasping or warding movements. In Study 1 (n = 85), an approach bias towards chocolate-containing foods was found when participants reached towards the stimuli, but not when these stimuli had to be moved on the touchscreen. This approach bias towards food observed in grab movements was replicated in Study 2 (n = 60) and Study 3 (n = 94). Adding task features to disambiguate distance change through either corresponding image zooming (Study 2) or emphasized self-reference (Study 3) did not moderate this effect. Associations between approach bias scores and trait and state chocolate craving were inconsistent across studies. Future studies need to examine whether touchscreen-based approach-avoidance tasks reveal biases towards other stimuli in the appetitive or aversive valence domain and relate to relevant interindividual difference variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Meule
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Anna Richard
- Schoen Clinic Roseneck, Prien am Chiemsee, Germany
| | - Anja Lender
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Radomir Dinic
- Department of MultiMedia Technology, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Puch, Austria
| | - Timo Brockmeyer
- Institute of Psychology, University of Goettingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mike Rinck
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jens Blechert
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunner Straße 34, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
- Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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21
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Horne D, Palermo R, Neumann MF, Housley R, Bell J. Can People Accurately Estimate the Calories in Food Images? An Optimised Set of Low- and High- Calorie Images from the food-pics database. Appetite 2019; 139:189-196. [PMID: 31034860 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Calorie intake plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight. As such, researchers often use the calorie content of food as a distinction when investigating appetite related brain processes and eating behaviour. This distinction assumes that observers accurately perceive caloric content. However, there is evidence suggesting this is not always the case. The current study examined how accurately observers could estimate the caloric content of food images from the widely used "Food-pics" database. Eight hundred and forty psychology undergraduate students (aged 16-60, 64% female) estimated the caloric value of 178 high and 182 low calorie foods. Calorie content of food from both categories was significantly overestimated. Additionally, 7.7% of low calorie images were misperceived as being high calorie images and 35% of high calorie images were misperceived as being low calorie foods. Neither participants' gender, nor the recognisability and likability of the food images, influenced calorie estimation. Our findings show that most people are unable to accurately estimate caloric content of most food. Despite this, a selection of food images were judged accurately, and we advocate the use of these in research where it is important to have low- and high-calorie food images. Specifically, we propose an optimised stimulus set of 25 high and 25 low calorie food images that are accurately judged by adult participants. In addition, we provide the open source dataset of our ratings of Food-pics images which, when added to the existing Food-pics attributes, creates an enhanced tool for researchers selecting food stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dielle Horne
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and Its Disorders, Australia.
| | - Romina Palermo
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and Its Disorders, Australia
| | - Markus F Neumann
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and Its Disorders, Australia; German Aerospace Center (DLR), Department of Aviation and Space Psychology, 22335, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Regan Housley
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia
| | - Jason Bell
- School of Psychological Science, University of Western, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Cognition and Its Disorders, Australia
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Schmidt R, Sebert C, Kösling C, Grunwald M, Hilbert A, Hübner C, Schäfer L. Neuropsychological and Neurophysiological Indicators of General and Food-Specific Impulsivity in Children with Overweight and Obesity: A Pilot Study. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10121983. [PMID: 30558260 PMCID: PMC6316789 DOI: 10.3390/nu10121983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Impulsivity, particularly towards food, is a potential risk factor for increased energy intake and the development and maintenance of obesity in children. However, neuropsychological and neurophysiological indicators of general and food-specific impulsivity and their association with children's weight status are poorly understood. This pilot study examined electroencephalography (EEG) frequency band profiles during eyes-closed and eyes-open resting state in n = 12 children with overweight or obesity versus n = 22 normal-weight controls and their link to child- and parent-reported and experimentally assessed impulsivity of children (e.g., risk-taking behavior, approach-avoidance behavior towards food). The main results indicated that children with overweight/obesity versus normal weight showed significantly increased delta and decreased alpha band activity during eyes-closed resting state. Across the total sample, EEG slow-wave band activity was particularly linked to self- and parent-reported impulsivity and greater risk-taking behavior, but not to approach behavior towards food, after controlling for children's age and weight status. The identification of specific EEG patterns in children with excess weight may provide a new basis for developing neurophysiological diagnostic and treatment approaches for childhood obesity. Future studies with larger samples and longitudinal designs are needed to replicate the present findings and test their stability over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricarda Schmidt
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Caroline Sebert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Christine Kösling
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Martin Grunwald
- Haptic-Research Laboratory, Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Anja Hilbert
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Claudia Hübner
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Lisa Schäfer
- Integrated Research and Treatment Center Adiposity Diseases, Department of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology and Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
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