Food cravings in a college population

Weingarten, Harvey P.; Elston, Dawn

doi:10.1016/0195-6663(91)90019-o

Cited by 389 publications

(244 citation statements)

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“…Retrospective data on food cravings provided by 758 women and 380 men showed that women especially craved chocolate, and that they did so more frequently than men, and that they also preferred it to any other type of food. 68 Other surveys also indicate chocolate as the most frequently craved food among women, [68][69][70] and there seems to be no substitute that satisfies a chocolate craving. 68 Interestingly, in one of the surveys 85% of women reported that they satisfied their cravings on more than 50% of occasions.…”

Section: Macronutrient Intake Food Cravings and The Premenstrual Synmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…68 Other surveys also indicate chocolate as the most frequently craved food among women, [68][69][70] and there seems to be no substitute that satisfies a chocolate craving. 68 Interestingly, in one of the surveys 85% of women reported that they satisfied their cravings on more than 50% of occasions. 68 Moreover, chocolate cravings seem to be more frequent in the luteal phase than at any other time of the cycle.…”

Section: Macronutrient Intake Food Cravings and The Premenstrual Synmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of the menstrual cycle on determinants of energy balance: a putative role in weight loss attempts

2007

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Women's weight and body composition is significantly influenced by the female sex-steroid hormones. Levels of these hormones fluctuate in a defined manner throughout the menstrual cycle and interact to modulate energy homeostasis. This paper reviews the scientific literature on the relationship between hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle and components of energy balance, with the aim of clarifying whether this influences weight loss in women. In the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle it appears that women's energy intake and energy expenditure are increased and they experience more frequent cravings for foods, particularly those high in carbohydrate and fat, than during the follicular phase. This suggests that the potential of the underlying physiology related to each phase of the menstrual cycle may be worth considering as an element in strategies to optimize weight loss. Studies are needed to assess the weight loss outcome of tailoring dietary recommendations and the degree of energy restriction to each menstrual phase throughout a weight management program, taking these preliminary findings into account.

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Section: Macronutrient Intake Food Cravings and The Premenstrual Synmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Macronutrient Intake Food Cravings and The Premenstrual Synmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the menstrual cycle on determinants of energy balance: a putative role in weight loss attempts

2007

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“…In contrast, controls (vitamin C) should be more responsive to high caloric and fatty foods (Carbohydrates & Fats) since not only are they more palatable but also provide the “vessel” (e.g., insulin) for the uptake of additional TRP, crucial for healthy mental function (Comer, 2009; Drewnowski, & Greenwood, 1983). It would be surprising to expect a protein preference in controls since it would decrease levels of 5‐HT and promote LNAAs competition (Fadda, 2000; Weingarten & Elston, 1991; Young et al., 1988). Support for macronutrient selection can be found in studies that examined cortical activity in response to cravings (Pelchat et al., 2004; Small et al., 2001), overconsumption of chocolate despite satiety (Small et al., 2001) as well as incentive motivation and food selection (Arana et al., 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In support of this argument Weingarten and Elston (1991) postulated that cravings arise due to nutrient or caloric deficits. However, there are occasions where craving for food is not elicited in response to physiological needs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such occasions, the desire to eat can lead to obesity, eating disorders, and noncompliance with dietary restrictions (Berthoud & Morrison, 2008; Cangiano et al., 1992; Levin & Routh, 1996; Ouwehand & Papies, 2010). Although researchers find it extremely difficult to illustrate a relation between nutritional needs and food cravings, other studies in the “food arena” exploring the relationship between the neurotransmitter serotonin (5‐HT) and macronutrient selection have been more fruitful (Fadda, 2000; Weingarten & Elston, 1991). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Preliminary fMRI findings concerning the influence of 5‐HTP on food selection

Ioannou

Williams

2016

Brain and Behavior

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ObjectiveThis functional magnetic resonance imaging study was designed to observe how physiological brain states can alter food preferences. A primary goal was to observe food‐sensitive regions and moreover examine whether 5‐HTP intake would activate areas which have been associated with appetite suppression, anorexia, satiety, and weight loss.Methods and ProcedureFourteen healthy male and female participants took part in the study, of which half of them received the supplement 5‐HTP and the rest vitamin C (control) on an empty stomach. During the scanning session, they passively observed food (high calories, proteins, carbohydrates) and nonfood movie stimuli.ResultsWithin the 5‐HTP group, a comparison of food and nonfood stimuli showed significant responses that included the limbic system, the basal ganglia, and the prefrontal, temporal, and parietal cortices. For the vitamin C group, activity was mainly located in temporal and occipital regions. Compared to the vitamin C group, the 5‐HTP group in response to food showed increased activation on the VMPFC, the DLPFC, limbic, and temporal regions. For the 5‐HTP group, activity in response to food high in protein content compared to food high in calories and carbohydrates was located in the limbic system and the right caudomedial OFC, whereas for the vitamin C group, activity was mainly located at the inferior parietal lobes, the anterior cingulate gyri, and the left ventrolateral OFC. Greater responses to carbohydrates and high calorie stimuli in the vitamin C group were located at the right temporal gyrus, the occipital gyrus, the right VLPFC, whereas for the 5‐HTP group, activity was observed at the left VMPFC, the parahippocampal gyrus bilaterally, the occipital lobe, and middle temporal gyri.DiscussionIn line with the hypotheses, 5‐HTP triggered cortical responses associated with healthy body weight as well as cerebral preferences for protein‐rich stimuli. The brain's activity is altered by macronutrients rich or deprived in the body. By reading the organisms physiological states and combining them with memory experiences, it constructs behavioral strategies steering an individual toward or in opposition to a particular food.

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