The relationship of hedonic hunger with food addiction and obesity in university students.

PURPOSE: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the relationship of hedonic hunger with food addiction and obesity in university students. METHODS: The research sample consists of 275 university students between the ages of 19-28 years. Body weight (kg), height (cm), waist and hip circumference (cm) were measured by applying a face-to-face questionnaire including descriptive characteristics of individuals, the Power of Food Scale (PFS), the Palatable Eating Motive Scale (PEMS) and the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS) 2.0. Statistical analysis of the data was done with SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) 18. RESULTS: In individuals, according to the mean PFS score the presence of food power-induced hedonic hunger was detected. While according to the mean PEMS score no motivational hedonic hunger was detected. According to the BMI classification the average scores of PFS (p = 0.002), PEMS (p = 0.009), and mYFAS 2.0 (p < 0.001) showed a gradual increase from underweight to obese. A weak positive correlation was found between BMI and PFS score (r = 0.238; p < 0.05) and PEMS score (r = 0.196; p < 0.05), respectively. The moderate positive correlation (r = 0.439 p < 0.001) was found between mYFAS 2.0 and the PEMS scores. CONCLUSION: As a result, the presence of food-based hedonic hunger was determined in young individuals. A relationship was determined between food addiction and hedonic hunger caused by the motivation to consume delicious foods. Accordingly, hedonic hunger is related to food addiction and obesity in university students. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Capsaicin and Its Effects on Body Weight.

Capsaicin is a bioactive compound found in the fruits (i.e., peppers) of the plant genus Capsicum, which is widely used in many cultures. Besides many health effects of this compound, it can also be effective in body weight control through various mechanisms such as regulating lipolysis in adipocytes, increasing the feeling of satiety, stimulating energy expenditure, and reducing energy intake. This study investigated capsaicin and its effects on body weight control. In clinical studies, the amount of capsaicin affecting body weight loss differ. Longitudinal and randomized controlled studies are needed to explain the effects of capsaicin on body weight control.Key teaching points• Capsaicin can decrease hunger through hormones in the gastrointestinal tract.• Capsaicin can increase energy expenditure through brown adipose tissue.• Capsaicin can increase lipolysis in white adipose tissue.• More comprehensive studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Is Nutrition Knowledge Related to Diet Quality and Obesity?

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between nutrition knowledge and diet quality. It was conducted with 382 individuals aged 18-64 living in Famagusta, Cyprus. Data was obtained through face-to-face interviews. Individuals with a high-quality diet had high nutrition knowledge (p < .05). Nutrition knowledge level increases as education level increases (p < .001). An increase in the level of nutrition knowledge is related to a reduction in body mass index (r = -0.12, p = .02), waist circumference (r = -0.16, p < .001), and body fat mass (r = -0.10, p = .04). Gender, education level, obesity, and diet quality were all found to be correlated with nutrition knowledge. There is a need for advanced analysis of nutrition knowledge level, diet quality, and obesity with larger samples.

The association between food addiction, disordered eating behaviors and food intake / A associação entre dependência alimentar, distúrbios do comportamento alimentar e dependência alimentar

ABSTRACT Objective This study was conducted with 370 undergraduate students to investigate the relationship between food intake, food addiction and disordered eating behavior. Methods The Yale Food Addiction Scale, Eating Attitude Test-26 and Food Frequency Questionnaire were used to assess food addiction, disordered eating behavior and food intake. Results A positive weak correlation was found between the Yale Food Addiction Scale and daily energy, carbohydrate and fat intake (r=0.228, p<0.001; r=0.222, p<0.001; r=0.225, p<0.001 respectively) whereas a negative weak correlation was found between Eating Attitude Test-26 and daily energy and carbohydrate intake (r=-0.105, p=0.044; r=-0.116, p=0.025 respectively). Conclusion Food intake is associated with food addiction and disordered eating behaviour. Further research should be conducted with a larger population also examining body composition, exercises and financial situation of the individuals because all of these factors have an influence on the nutritional status and eating behavior as well.

RESUMO Objetivo Participaram neste estudo 370 estudantes universitários. O objetivo era investigar a relação entre consumo alimentar, dependência alimentar e distúrbios do comportamento alimentar. Métodos A Escala de Dependência Alimentar de Yale, o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares-26 e o Questionário de Frequência Alimentar foram utilizados para avaliar a dependência alimentar, os transtornos do comportamento alimentar e o consumo alimentar. Resultados Verificaram-se uma correlação positiva fraca entre a Escala de Dependência Alimentar de Yale e a ingestão diária de calorias, carboidratos e gorduras (r=0,228, p<0,001; r=0,222, p<0,001; r=0,225, p<0,001 respectivamente) e uma correlação negativa fraca entre o Teste de Atitudes Alimentares-26 e o consumo diário de calorias e carboidratos (r=-0,105, p=0,044; r=-0,116, p=0,025 respectivamente). Conclusão O consumo alimentar está associado à dependência alimentar e aos distúrbios do comportamento alimentar. No futuro, devem ser realizadas pesquisas em amostras maiores e devem também ser avaliados a composição corporal, hábitos do exercício físico e a situação financeira dos indivíduos, pois esses fatores influenciam quer a sua situação nutricional, quer os seus comportamentos alimentares.

Food addiction and its relationship with disordered eating behaviours and obesity.

PURPOSE: Food addiction, eating disorders and obesity are all mutually reinforcing factors, or factors that can trigger each other. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between food addiction, disordered eating behaviours and obesity. METHODS: The study was conducted with 370 university students. Food addiction was assessed using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) and disordered eating behaviours were assessed with the Eating Attitude Test (EAT)-26. A digital scale was used to measure weight, while for the measurement of height, waist and hip circumferences a non-stretching tape measure was used according to standard techniques. RESULTS: Among the participants, 35.7% scored high on the EAT-26, while 21.1% scored high on the YFAS. Females constituted a higher ratio of those who had high scores on the YFAS and EAT-26 (p < 0.05). Overall, the ratio of YFAS high scorers was higher in the case of EAT-26 high scorers (32.6%) than that of low scorers (14.7%) (p < 0.001). A positive weak relationship existed between YFAS and EAT-26 scores (r = 0.165, p = 0.001) and the same between YFAS scores, weight, and body mass index (r = 0.263, p < 0.001; r = 0.319, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In summary, a positive relation was found between food addiction, disordered eating behaviours and body mass index. Females were shown to have a higher risk of food addiction and eating disorders than that of males. Further studies can be carried out to analyze these correlations using a wider range of controlling factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.