52-97% of people report having had food cravings

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Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:04 pm Email this article
"Food cravings, typically defined as 'an intense desire to eat a specific food' have been reported in 52–97% of individuals studied," notes a new paper. Cravings in the Current Study

30 of 32 overweight reporting cravings

Thirty out of 32 women in the current study reported food cravings during the previous three months.

According to food records, 79 percent had food cravings during the previous week at the start of the study.

After being on a diet for six months, this dropped to 57 percent.

 

Consumption of Craved Foods

Consumption of craved foods : 22 times per month before diet, 7 times after diet

According to food records, craved foods were eaten an average of 22 times per month before the study started, and 7 times per month after dieting for six months.

Subjects

Subjects : 32 overweight women, 20-42 years-old

All of these women were overweight, but not obese, that is they had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30.

All were healthy and between the ages of 20- and 42-years-old.

REFERENCE

Gilhooly C, Das SK, Golden J, Mccrory M, Dallal G, Saltzman E, Kramer F, Roberts S. 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. Int J Obes (Lond). 2007 Dec, 31(12):1849-58.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Susan B. Roberts
Energy Metabolism Laboratory
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Tufts University
Room 1312
711 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111, USA
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