Less food for thought. Impact of attentional instructions on intrusive thoughts about snack foods

Intrusive thoughts about food may play a role in unhealthy eating behaviours. Food-related thoughts that capture attention can lead to craving and further intrusive thoughts (Kavanagh, Andrade, & May, 2005). We tested whether diverting attention to mental images or bodily sensations would reduce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Appetite 2010-10, Vol.55 (2), p.279-287
Main Authors: May, Jon, Andrade, Jackie, Batey, Helen, Berry, Lisa-Marie, Kavanagh, David J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acceptance
Attention
Biological and medical sciences
Body Scan
Breath Focus
cognition
Cognitive Therapy
college students
Craving
Disclosure
Eating - psychology
eating disorders
eating habits
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
guided imagery
Humans
Imagery
Imagery (Psychotherapy)
instructions
Intervention
intrusive thoughts
Male
Medical sciences
men
Metabolic diseases
Mindfulness
Obesity
perceptions (cognitive)
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
psychotherapy
snack foods
Taste Perception
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
women
Young Adult
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Summary:Intrusive thoughts about food may play a role in unhealthy eating behaviours. Food-related thoughts that capture attention can lead to craving and further intrusive thoughts (Kavanagh, Andrade, & May, 2005). We tested whether diverting attention to mental images or bodily sensations would reduce the incidence of intrusive thoughts about snack foods. In two experiments, participants reported their thoughts in response to probes during three 10min periods. In the Baseline and Post-task period, participants were asked to let their mind wander. In the middle, Experimental, period, participants followed mind wandering (Control), thought diversion, or Thought Suppression instructions. Self-directed or Guided Imagery, Mindfulness-based Body Scanning, and Thought Suppression all reduced the proportion of thoughts about food, compared to Baseline. Following Body Scanning and Thought Suppression, food thoughts returned to Baseline frequencies Post-task, rather than rebounding. There were no effects of the interventions upon craving, although overall, craving and thought frequency were correlated. Thought control tasks may help people to ignore thoughts about food and thereby reduce their temptation to snack.
ISSN:0195-6663
1095-8304
DOI:10.1016/j.appet.2010.06.014