Gender differences in the relation between food cravings and mood in an adult community: Results from the Fleurbaix Laventie Ville Sant� Study

Abstract

Obejective The aim of this survey was to study food cravings and its indulgence in community adults (538 women and 506 men) and to compare nutritional parameters, weight preoccupations, and weight history between cravers and noncravers. Method Cravers experienced a strong urge to eat specific foods more than once a week during the past 6 months. Food intake was estimated by a 3‐day food record. Results 28% of women and 13% of men were food cravers. Cravers, especially women, were more frequently concerned about their weight than noncravers. Energy intake during snacks was higher in cravers. Less than 40% of cravers reported being hungry when they experienced cravings. Women cravers indulged their cravings as often as men. They reported more frequently negative feelings, whereas men reported more frequently positive feelings. Discussion This study shows that food craving episodes are strongly associated with mood but in a different way in women and men. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 29: 195–204, 2001.

Food cravings and energy regulation: the characteristics of craved foods and their relationship with eating behaviors and weight change during 6 months of dietary energy restriction

“…They were part of the sample of men and women (n ¼ 46) who participated in the CALERIE trial at Tufts University, a 12-month study of ER. Owing to the small number of men in the CALERIE trial and reported differences in craving characteristics between men and women, 4,6,29 only women were used in the current analysis. We also used only the first 6 months of data from the trial, because subjects were provided with all meals and snacks during this period, giving us a greater confidence in the dietary intake data.…”

How visual images of chocolate affect the craving and guilt of female dieters

“…So, although chocolate is eaten more for comfort by women, feelings of guilt present an unpleasant side effect for some women. Equally, Lafay et al (2001) found that the negative Images of chocolate and female dieters 5 emotions commonly experienced after satisfying a food craving, such as depression, were more frequently reported in women than in men, whilst men more frequently associated cravings with positive emotions, such as relaxation and happiness. Hence, this study will investigate the effects on women only.…”

The association between food cravings and consumption of specific foods in a laboratory taste test

“…Research on food cravings has identified important associations between food cravings and BMI (White, Whisenhunt, Williamson, Greenway, & Netemeyer, 2002), binge eating (White & Grilo, 2005), gender (Lafay et al, 2001), and weight loss (Martin, O'Neil, & Pawlow, 2006). In addition, studies employing food diaries to measure food intake have reported associations between food craving and caloric intake (Hill, Weaver, & Blundell, 1991;Lafay et al, 2001).…”

“…In addition, studies employing food diaries to measure food intake have reported associations between food craving and caloric intake (Hill, Weaver, & Blundell, 1991;Lafay et al, 2001). While some studies have explored food cravings and consumption of specific foods, namely chocolate (Polivy, Coleman, & Herman, 2005), the exact relation between cravings and the selection and consumption of various foods has not been reported.…”