This study determined effects of a cognitive distraction on amount, preference, and memory of food consumed and perceptions of fullness, hunger, and enjoyment of food in a healthy young-adult population. A randomized controlled crossover study of 119 healthy adults, assigned to begin in either the distracted or control condition, was conducted.
Environmental distractions have been shown to affect eating patterns. Influences of food environments on consumption patterns and not simply food choices are becoming increasingly clear for their contributions to energy intake. Of particular interest is the presence of distraction. It has been postulated that when distracted, individuals are inclined to consumer more than when not distracted. However, how distraction and memory impact subsequent food choice and preference is less well known. A Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task was applied to distract individuals while eating; food intake and food behaviors were measured after RVIP distraction and compared to food intake and food behaviors without distraction in the same individuals.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
119
A series of numbers appeared on a computer screen at a rate of one per minute. Each participant was required to identify any series of three consecutive odd or even numbers by hitting the space bar on the keyboard. The task lasted 15 minutes and included a 1-minute practice session before food being served. Participants were instructed to eat at will while completing the computer task.
Participant were instructed to eat at will during a 15-minute duration.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Urbana, Illinois, United States
Food intake
Consumption of food by number of food items eaten
Time frame: Up to 14 days
Snack intake
Consumption of snack choices by number of food items eaten
Time frame: Up to 14 days
Memory of food intake
Recording of food that was eaten during the condition period by number of food items eaten
Time frame: Up to 14 days
Fullness
How full do you feel right now? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much
Time frame: Up to 14 days
Hunger
How hungry do you feel right now? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much
Time frame: Up to 14 days
Enjoyment
How much did you enjoy the meal provided? by 100mm visual analog scale; 0=not at all to 100=very much
Time frame: Up to 14 days
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