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Chocolate cravings are susceptible to visuo-spatial interference.

Eva Kemps1, Marika Tiggemann, Georgina Hart

  • 1School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. Eva.Kemps@flinders.edu.au

Eating Behaviors
|December 16, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Visuo-spatial tasks effectively reduce chocolate cravings by making images less vivid. This cognitive strategy offers a new way to manage chocolate cravings, especially for those with eating problems.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Chocolate cravings are common and can lead to overconsumption.
  • Working memory plays a role in regulating desires and impulses.
  • Visuo-spatial working memory is a cognitive system for temporarily storing and manipulating visual information.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if visuo-spatial working memory tasks can specifically reduce chocolate cravings.
  • To compare the effects of visuo-spatial versus auditory tasks on craving intensity and image vividness.
  • To determine if these effects differ between individuals who crave chocolate and those who do not.

Main Methods:

  • Participants (chocolate cravers and non-cravers) viewed chocolate images.
  • They concurrently performed either a visuo-spatial task (sketch pad) or an auditory task (phonological loop).

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  • Image vividness and craving intensity were subsequently rated.

    • Main Results:

    • Performing a visuo-spatial task significantly reduced the vividness of chocolate images and craving intensity compared to an auditory task.
    • This effect was observed in both chocolate cravers and non-cravers.
    • Chocolate cravers reported higher baseline cravings and intake than non-cravers.

    Conclusions:

    • Visuo-spatial tasks are an effective mechanism for reducing chocolate cravings.
    • This cognitive strategy can be used for managing chocolate cravings.
    • These techniques may benefit individuals whose eating behaviors are triggered by chocolate craving.