Functional Imagery Training to reduce snacking: Testing a novel motivational intervention based on Elaborated Intrusion theory

• Published in: Appetite 2016-05, Vol.100, p.256-262
• Main Authors: Andrade, Jackie, Khalil, Marina, Dickson, Jennifer, May, Jon, Kavanagh, David J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Behaviour change; Body Mass Index; Cognitive; Craving; Diet, Reducing - psychology; Dietary Fats - adverse effects; Dietary Sucrose - adverse effects; Female; Goals; Humans; Imagery (Psychotherapy); Male; Middle Aged; Models, Psychological; Motivation; Motivational Interviewing; Obesity - diet therapy; Obesity - prevention & control; Obesity - psychology; Overweight - diet therapy; Overweight - prevention & control; Overweight - psychology; Patient Compliance - psychology; Psychological; Snacking; Snacks - psychology; United Kingdom; Weight Loss; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-6663; 1095-8304
• DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.02.015

Functional Imagery Training (FIT) is a new theory-based, manualized intervention that trains positive goal imagery. Multisensory episodic imagery of proximal personal goals is elicited and practised, to sustain motivation and compete with less functional cravings. This study tested the impact of a single session of FIT plus a booster phone call on snacking. In a stepped-wedge design, 45 participants who wanted to lose weight or reduce snacking were randomly assigned to receive a session of FIT immediately or after a 2-week delay. High-sugar and high-fat snacks were recorded using timeline follow back for the previous 3 days, at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks. At 2 weeks, snacking was lower in the immediate group than in the delayed group, and the reduction after FIT was replicated in the delayed group between 2 and 4 weeks. Frequencies of motivational thoughts about snack reduction rose following FIT for both groups, and this change correlated with reductions in snacking and weight loss. By showing that FIT can support change in eating behaviours, these findings show its potential as a motivational intervention for weight management. •Tests Functional Imagery Training, a new, theory-based intervention for changing eating behaviours.•Following Functional Imagery Training, snacking reduced and participants lost weight.•Snacking reductions and weight loss correlated with increases in motivational thought frequency.