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Related Experiment Video

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Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice
07:07

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Published on: June 5, 2016

Comparing thought suppression and acceptance as coping techniques for food cravings.

Nic Hooper1, Emily K Sandoz, Jennifer Ashton

  • 1Department of Psychology, Middle East Technical University, Northern Cyprus Campus. Nichooper7@gmail.com

Eating Behaviors
|December 20, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Acceptance-based defusion techniques may help manage food cravings, leading to less chocolate consumption in taste tests. This contrasts with thought suppression, offering a new strategy for weight management.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Effective food craving management is crucial for weight management.
  • Avoidance strategies like thought suppression can be counterproductive.
  • Acceptance-based techniques, such as defusion, show promise as alternatives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the efficacy of thought suppression versus defusion techniques in managing food cravings.
  • To assess the impact of these techniques on chocolate consumption during a period of abstinence and a subsequent taste test.

Main Methods:

  • Participants were assigned to either a thought suppression group, a defusion group, or a control group.
  • Interventions were administered at the start of a week-long attempted chocolate abstinence period.
  • Chocolate intake was monitored over six days and measured during a final taste test.

Main Results:

  • The defusion group consumed significantly less chocolate during the final taste test compared to the other groups.
  • No significant differences in chocolate consumption were observed throughout the six-day experimental period.
  • These findings suggest a potential benefit of defusion in immediate craving control.

Conclusions:

  • Acceptance-based defusion techniques may be a viable strategy for managing immediate food cravings.
  • Defusion shows potential utility in weight management interventions by reducing consumption in specific contexts.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects and broader applications of defusion in behavioral change.